Coolkit creates electric van-based mobile refrigerated cupcake cabinet

British temperature-controlled vehicle conversion specialist Coolkit has created a novel refrigerated electric van for London-based Lola’s Cupcakes, designed to display the bakery’s mouth-watering wares while on the move while complying with low-emission zones.

“Lola’s transport manager finds that people are always asking if we have cupcakes on board our vans, so we thought that finding a way to showcase the product as it’s heading to its destination would be a clever way to advertise,” explained Lola’s Cupcakes MD Asher Budwig.

Established in 2006, Lola’s Cupcakes is a beloved London-based business that bakes and delivers more than 20,000 cupcakes and 1200 large celebration cakes daily. 

The business has worked with CoolKit since 2018. A fleet of 31 vehicles operates from the West London bakery to branded outlets in London Underground and railway stations across the capital, as well as concessions in renowned department stores Harrods and Selfridges.

The pioneering van design is considered to be the first of its kind in the confectionery delivery sector. By incorporating large display windows at the rear and viewing panels on each side, it enhances the visual appeal and enables Lola’s Cupcakes to sell treats directly from the van at events without the need to set up tables. Furthermore, the setup offers additional storage space for drivers to sell to the public during deliveries, creating a welcome extra revenue stream for the company.

CoolKit chose a front-wheel drive Maxus (branded LDV in Australasia) e-Deliver3 for this conversion as it is the only electric LWB cab-chassis for custom builds on the market.

Supplied with a 50.23kWh battery that utilises ‘tenary lithium polymer’ technology similar to Tesla, the Maxus offers a combined range of 243km, rising to 343km for urban driving, making it ideal for delivery runs in and around major cities.