Hultsteins has renamed its Ecogen trailer fridge electric generation unit to emphasise its low running costs. Now known as Ecogen CostSaver, Hultsteins says the name more accurately reflects the system’s core ability to power any trailer refrigeration unit while greatly reducing C02 emissions and reducing the cost of diesel fuel.
Hultsteins’ UK MD, Graham Usher said: “Customer feedback over recent years has highlighted the significant cost and carbon savings which Ecogen brings. As such, we decided to change the Ecogen name to Ecogen CostSaver and now it says on the tin, exactly what it does!”
The Ecogen CostSaver is a ‘bolt-on’ hybrid-drive device which couples to the tractor’s PTO and can be retrofitted to any tractor unit with a PTO.
“There are significant emissions savings,” Usher adds, “which will be important when emission restrictions are introduced for auxiliary engines within low emission zones.”
According to Hultsteins, Ecogen CostSaver will reduce CO2 by around 75% to 90%, depending on individual operations. It also virtually eliminates DPM & Nox emissions.
Also, according to Hultsteins, the most efficient diesel-powered refrigeration unit uses 1.7 to 2.7 litres an hour, whereas older multi-temperature trailer fridges running at high speeds can use 3.5 to 4.5 litres per hour.
Operators running 44-tonner with a fridge on for seven hours a day are said to have seen just a 0.1mpg loss from running the Ecogen CostSaver.
“Often, the service life for a trailer can be 10 years” says Graham. “With a fleet of trailers four years old and requiring some changes, operators are unlikely to want to replace the fridge with a very expensive electric refrigeration unit. However, with an Ecogen CostSaver, the existing fridge will keep going for many more years and will exceed normal fuel consumption and emissions targets.”
