Fraikin Sells 15 Mercedes Electric Vans to UK Food Distributor

Fleet management company Fraikin has secured a contract to supply 15 Mercedes-Benz eSprinter electric vans to UK-based food distributor Classic Fine Foods. The five-year deal marks a significant step in the distributor’s transition from diesel to electric logistics.

What Happened

Fraikin won the order for 15 new 3.5-tonne electric vans, which will replace older diesel models within Classic Fine Foods’ 50-vehicle fleet. The Mercedes-Benz eSprinters are equipped with multi-temperature refrigeration units. Following a review of operational requirements, Fraikin recommended a fixed rear evaporator to enable independent zonal temperature control, addressing previous issues with cold air distribution that had damaged products. Additionally, ten of the new vans were specified with 22 kW charging capability instead of the standard 11 kW to reduce charging times.

Why It Matters

This deployment highlights the practical challenges and solutions involved in electrifying commercial refrigerated fleets. "We quickly saw that Fraikin would take the time to fully understand the challenge associated with transitioning away from the diesel vans. That collaborative approach made them the standout choice for this contract," said Richard White, Transport Manager, Classic Fine Foods. Steve Williams, Business Development Manager at Fraikin, noted, "This contract demonstrates the strength of our consultative approach and our ability to tailor solutions around each customer’s unique requirements." The contract also includes Fraikin’s comprehensive service package, covering maintenance, MOT testing, and roadside assistance, alongside MYSMARTFLEET connected technologies for real-time data analysis on driver behavior and energy efficiency.

The Bottom Line

Classic Fine Foods continues its fleet decarbonization journey by integrating electric vans with tailored refrigeration and charging solutions, supported by Fraikin’s end-to-end fleet management services.