Thermo King used the CV Show to highlight the benefits of its new hybrid drive trailer concept for urban deliveries.
An extension to the firm’s telematics-enabled SLXi refrigerated trailer range, the concept unit is both low-emission and low-noise to enable access to inner city areas and restricted zones.
The hybrid drive allows a refrigerated semi-trailer, attached to a tractor with sister firm Frigoblock’s Enviro Drive inverter filter, to run electrically.
This enables the trailer refrigeration unit to be powered as a hybrid drive, by either the electric alternator or through its own independent diesel engine.
This hybrid technology is said to offer a potential fuel reduction of 5,000 litres per year in companies with “demanding distribution operations” such as inner city multi-temperature, multi-drop work.
The low-noise hybrid drive is paired with Thermo King’s Piek-compliant SLXi Whisper Pro unit. This lets the trailer enter most noise-restricted city zones or carry out night-time deliveries.
Thermo King said it is also suited for use in cities imposing a diesel ban, as it can be fitted to a gas-powered HGV.
The trailer is telematics-enabled, using a TK BlueBox system delivering full visibility of the unit and load condition at all times, while a geo-location feature will automatically switch the power between diesel and Enviro Drive as required.
Upgrade of existing trailers to the hybrid Enviro-Drive operation can be carried out with “minimum investment”, according to Thermo King, to enable operators to address urban delivery challenges without changing their fleet renewal schedule.
Thermo King and Frigoblock belong to the Ingersoll Rand group of companies.
