Carrier Transicold is offering field trials for its innovative and high-performance Vector eCool refrigeration system through the end of 2023. Developed by Carrier Transicold, the engineless, all-electric and fully autonomous semi-trailer cooling system consists of a Carrier Vector refrigeration unit, battery pack and generator axle. This eliminates the need for previously common solutions with a separate diesel engine or generator unit powered by the drive engine to operate the refrigeration machine.
Carrier Transicold invites refrigerated transport companies in Germany to test the refrigeration system with their own fleets under real operating conditions in regional fresh and frozen transport for 15 days. Carrier Transicold is providing two 27- and 33-pallet refrigerated trailers for this purpose, which are compatible with all modern tractor units.
Numerous transporters in Germany have recently participated in the free field trials with positive results.
"This solution is a sustainable system that has proven its right to exist in our transport operations and is a real alternative to cooling units with a combustion engine," said Marc Riedle, Executive Board Member of Spedition Riedle from Leutkirch.
The Vector eCool meets PIEK certification, which specifies a maximum noise level of 60 dB(A) at a distance of 7.5 meters, a beneficial feature during evening deliveries in city centers.
"We have used the Vector eCool trailer for night deliveries to food markets. The electric, and therefore quiet, operation of the refrigeration system makes the trailer ideal for such operations. The cooling performance, which makes no difference to conventional diesel-powered refrigeration systems, has been positively noticeable," said Roman Komrowski, Transport Manager at Schröder Logistik from Georgsmarienhütte, Germany.
"Vector eCool can be an important building block in supporting our corporate philosophy, the central core of which is to reduce noise emissions and drive decarbonization; the all-electric cooling system helps us significantly reduce noise and air pollution while increasing sustainability and efficiency," said Christian Huber, Fleet Manager at Freiburg-based specialist freight forwarder karldischinger GmbH.
Launched in 2020, Vector eCool is compatible with the engineless versions of Carrier Transicold's Vector HE 19 bulkhead refrigeration unit. The self-sufficient cooling system combines the manufacturer's all-electric E-Drive technology with a state-of-the-art energy recovery and storage system that converts kinetic energy generated by the semitrailer into electricity via a generator axle. The electricity generated in this way is stored in a battery pack, which in turn supplies energy to the refrigeration unit. This closed-loop system creates a fully autonomous system that generates no direct carbon dioxide or particulate emissions.
