The technology used in the trial enables the trailer’s refrigeration unit to be powered using energy recovered by an ‘e-axle’ during braking or driving downhill and subsequently stored in a high-voltage battery. The unit’s energy management system is then said to provide power from the battery to the refrigeration unit intelligently by engaging the system’s generators when it is most efficient.
The AxlePower energy recovery system and e-Power axle have been developed in collaboration with Thermo King and BPW.
The trial sees a brand new TIP e-reefer refrigerated trailer go into real-life operation in the cold chain sector. A number of TIP’s customers will have the opportunity to experience the new technology and better understand if the solution meets their operational and business needs while helping meet any decarbonisation goals that their business may have. Trialling with different customers will help TIP better understand the benefits of the technology in differing operating conditions and scenarios.
The trailer is fitted with TIP Insight telematics, including TIP’s electronic braking performance monitoring system, BrakePlus. Comprehensive reporting concerning the performance of the e-reefer technology throughout the trial will be available.
The Reefer Trailer Centre has supplied the Chereau-manufactured e-reefer. Adaptations include the installation of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIP), the use of HFO Foam and half-width sliding bulkheads for temperature-controlling a smaller area when transporting a partial load.
Mike Furnival, managing director of TIP UK & Ireland said: “TIP continues to investigate and trial innovative and sustainable systems that are set to form the backbone of the temperature-controlled sector of the transport industry. TIP’s trial of this particular technology on UK roads will enable us to better understand just how an axle energy recuperation system can benefit our customers that operate within the sector. We look forward to the outcome of the trial.”
The December 2024 issue of Trucking has in in-depth feature on Refrigerated Haulage and The Cold Chain. we also look further at e-axles.
