Trans-Bridge Freight Services has taken delivery of its first Carrier Transicold Vector eCool unit. The pharmaceutical and healthcare distributor will use the unit to complete deliveries between the mainland UK and Northern Ireland.
The Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 is mounted to a 13.6m Gray & Adams temperature controlled trailer. This configuration allows the system to be predominantly powered by energy recovered from vehicle braking while the diesel engine can be used in emergency scenarios. The trailer is pictured paired with a DAF XG 530 tractor unit.
Brian Anderton, director at Trans-Bridge Freight Services, said: “Since welcoming our first Carrier unit in 2015, we’ve been consistently impressed with its performance and reliability, so bringing the advanced technology of the Vector eCool into the fleet was the next logical step.
“Even the most minute temperature change can have a significant impact on the products we transport, so set point control is vital. Bad weather regularly means our trailers can be stuck in the port or on the ferry for much longer than anticipated, so having the ability to revert to diesel power if required gives us extra peace of mind – this combination makes the Vector eCool the ideal product for our needs.”
The Vector eCool was the first fully autonomous electric refrigeration system. To charge the unit, it can be plugged in when the vehicle is parked, with a standard five pin, three-phase standby plug, it can fully charge within two hours.
Geoff Fearnley-Hill, national key account manager at Carrier Transicold UK, said: “The Vector eCool is an ideal fit for customers like Trans-Bridge Freight that need to transport temperature-sensitive cargo. The battery system ensures the Vector HE 19 operates with the same level of performance as the standard setup, but having the hybrid option in this case highlights the sheer flexibility it can provide operators.”
Trans-Bridge Freight Services opted for Carrier Transicold’s BluEdge maintenance package which includes annual temperature control testing, certification, regulatory checks and access to oneCALL, Carrier’s 24/7 incident management system. The unit is expected to cover 90,000 miles annually.
