Mobility solutions expert Fraikin has won an order for 15 new 3.5-tonne electric vans from food distributor Classic Fine Foods, as part of a five-year contract hire deal.

Classic Fine Foods supplies fresh and frozen ingredients to restaurants, shops and hospitality businesses across the UK.

The Mercedes-Benz eSprinters—equipped with multi-temperature refrigeration units—will replace older diesel models in a 50-vehicle fleet.

Fraikin’s team thoroughly reviewed Classic Fine Foods’ operational requirements to identify opportunities to refine its new vehicle specification. The incumbent solution used a foam mattress bulkhead and fan kit arrangement, which caused issues with cold air distribution into the vehicle’s second compartment, damaging products in the process. Fraikin recommended installing a fixed rear evaporator, enabling independent zonal temperature control.

Similar attention was paid to the customer’s charging requirements. Fraikin advised Classic Fine Foods to upgrade ten of its new vans to support 22 kW charging capability, rather than 11 kW, reducing charging times and improving operational flexibility.

Fraikin’s comprehensive offering includes servicing, repairs, road fund licencing, regular safety inspections, annual MOT testing, tyre management, roadside assistance and 24/7 customer support. The agreement also includes Fraikin’s suite of MYSMARTFLEET connected technologies, which provides real-time data and analysis on metrics such as distance travelled, fuel or charge efficiency and driver behaviour.

“These new electric vehicles represent a significant step forward in our fleet decarbonisation journey,” said Richard White, Transport Manager, Classic Fine Foods. “We quickly saw that Fraikin would take the time to fully understand the challenge associated with transitioning away from the diesel vans.

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