A fully electric refrigerated trailer has finally hit the UK market from Schmitz Cargobull. Having been shown as a prototype 18 months ago at the IAA trade show in Hannover in 2022, Schmitz has officially launched the S.KOe Cool, its all-electric box-body semi-trailer.
Refrigerated by an S.CU ep85 cooling unit linked to integrated electronics mated to a 22kW electric generator axle, the trailer has a cooling output of up to 15,800W and heating output of 10,500W.
The 245-litre diesel tanks for a conventional refrigeration unit are replaced by 32kWh batteries that have been specifically designed by the firm’s German supplier to fit between the landing legs of the trailer. This ensures their safety, but also, with the removal of the generator, means that there’s an almost identical payload to a fridge trailer with a diesel unit and space for up to 36 pallets. The difference is just 200kg for the electric trailer compared with its diesel equivalent, and while it’s not yet as competitive on price as it is on weight, the S.KOe Cool is still only around 40-50% more expensive than a diesel.
Although the trailer can be plugged in to charge the lithium-ion phosphate batteries in just two hours using a 32A 440V supply, it’s the trailer’s egenerative braking that will supply much of the power. Nevertheless, the trailer has been confirmed by test to operate for 4.5 hours at an internal temperature of -20°C, with an outside ambient temperature of 20°C. Some existing customers, however, have gone weeks without needing to charge, thanks to the trailer’s energy recuperation. Regenerative braking ensures that energy that would ordinarily be lost during braking is harvested and put back into the battery. An intelligent battery charging management function also ensures that the battery’s charge level remains as high as possible to provide greater reliability when the trailer is stationary, such as in traffic jams.
It’s also possible to put the trailer into one of three pre-defined modes – Eco, Standard and Safe. These can be optimised according to the customer’s usage conditions, with Eco mode ensuring maximum energy and cost efficiency, Standard mode the default for protecting the load, and Safe providing maximum protection against spoilage.
The modes can be selected via a display in the cooling unit or by using the Schmitz Cargobull TrailerConnect telematics portal. The portal also shows the system status including the battery charge level, range and charging time for the trailer. More than 100,000 telematicsequipped trailers are currently operational, according to Schmitz Cargobull.
Speaking about the importance of the S.KOe Cool for the UK, Colin Maher, MD Schmitz Cargobull UK & Ireland, says: “This is the perfect choice for businesses that are leading the charge towards a cleaner and greener transport sector. There has been a lot of interest from big retailers in the S.KOe. With these new products [including the M.KO refrigerated truck body and S.Ko City box body] we are moving towards food and distribution.”
It’s not just the product that Schmitz is trumpeting, though. Maher also points out that Schmitz Cargobull is not dependent on third-party suppliers for its manufacturing and that it can offer a single point of contact for repairs.
“You can get the complete system [from Schmitz Cargobull], but more importantly we’re a one-stop shop for maintenance. Previously, you’d get someone to come out to look at the trailer, and someone else to look at the cooling unit. We do both because everyone is now trained in high-voltage systems.”
With the S.KOe Cool, Schmitz Cargobull has become the first manufacturer to gain type approval for a fully electric refrigerated semi-trailer with an e-axle. In doing so, it has also taken the industry a step further in the right direction for a cleaner and quieter future for refrigerated trailers.
- This article was previoulsy published in Commercial Motor, to subscribe see the latest Commercial Motor subscription offer
