Currently in the UK there are around 100,000 refrigerated vehicles operating on our roads. Refrigerated vehicles are designed to hold various goods that need refrigeration, such as food, plants, flowers and medications. These vehicles keep a consistent cool temperature for the entire journey.

Revenue from online grocery retailers in the United Kingdom reached a peak of almost 30 billion pounds in 2022.

Many of our supermarkets have grown their online shopping business. Waitrose for example now delivers to nearly 90% of postcodes across the UK and the Waitrose Rapid service has tripled its deliveries to 7,000 per week.

Supermarkets are expanding not only their online shopping offering but also their sustainability goals. Many retailer's intention is to increase the number of electric vehicle charging points for customers and delivery vans in its shop car parks and depots.

This shift away from petrol and diesel demonstrates how the grocery sector is taking tangible steps to act on climate change, with the UK’s 2050 target of net zero emissions of greenhouse gases in mind.

Transport refrigeration units (TRUs) are mobile refrigeration systems that supply precise temperature control for perishable goods during transport and storage. TRUs have traditionally been powered by a diesel, but the grocery industry is making the switch to electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs) for their environmental, efficiency and maintenance benefits.

eTRUs use electricity to operate the unit when it’s not in motion, many supermarkets demand that vehicle engines are not left idling whilst parked. This has the potential to damage chilled products as only the insulated body of the vehicle can retain the necessary temperature. For long periods of time the refrigerated compartment will not be effective and the vehicle will struggle to retain the set temperature.

Operating on electricity means emissions are reduced when parked and plugged in, providing cleaner and healthier air for the surrounding environment.

Outdoor power comes with the option to power overnight. This allows you to plug your van's fridge unit into an electrical socket to keep your products cold when the engine isn't running. This is ideal for businesses that want to reduce the amount of time they spend loading and unloading their vehicles.

Pop Up Power Supplies support supermarkets in the development of this EV infrastructure and electric vehicle charging points. It offers as part of its range, freestanding bollards which are complete with 1 or 2 x 16 amp single phase power sockets. Each freestanding power bollard can be used to supply electricity to the growing fleet of delivery vans for both online groceries.

Power bollards provide safe, secure and easy connectivity to a power source in outdoor locations for delivery vans and lorries. The bollards selected for Waitrose in particular all feature the Parc Paris contemporary style top, but are available in varying designs.

Power bollards are one of the three outdoor power solutions available from Pop Up Power Supplies. It also provides a range of retractable service units and in-ground power units which are configured to meet the requirements of outdoor spaces to offer on-demand electricity.

Pop Up Power works closely with supermarkets, contractors, architects, council planners, and other professionals, to ensure the successful specification of power units and project success every time.

To discuss how the range from Pop Up Power Supplies® can transform the potential of your sporting event, please contact us or call 020 8227 0208.