US-based OEM, Wabash National, has partnered with Carrier Transicold to deliver thermally efficient, eco-friendly refrigerated trailers.
First shown as a zero-emission trailer at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) Technology and Maintenance Council (TMC) meeting in February 2020, the Wabash MSC refrigerated trailer with solar-electric Trailer Refrigeration Unit (TRU) is now commercially available as a road-ready solution.
“We haven’t seen high demand for zero-emission trailers for refrigerated hauls due to the location and size of batteries,” said Wabash National Vice President – Product Innovations, Robert Lane.
“This is the first time a major trailer innovation has been coupled with a major TRU innovation that results in breakthrough customer value in a sustainable format.
“Our Molded Structural Composite (MSC) technology provides a unique platform for electric powered TRUs. The large gain in thermal efficiencies allow a customer to either downsize the batteries required to haul cargo or increase the run time on a battery setup,” he said.
The cost to operate and maintain a diesel reefer system can, according to Wabash, total hundreds of millions of dollars for US fleets. With Wabash National, eNow and Carrier Transicold, customers get a zero-emission refrigerated transportation solution that is more energy efficient and has a lower operating cost.
The Wabash National MSC Refrigerated Trailer is reported to be the most thermally efficient, lightest and most durable reefer on the road. The company’s proprietary MSC technology sets new standards in efficiency with significant thermal performance, maximised payload capacity, corrosion resistance and the industry’s highest standard floor rating.
The eNow Rayfrigeration System is a solar-electric power system that enables a full 12-hour route duration without employing a diesel engine to power the TRU. It can cut operating costs by over 50 per cent compared to diesel reefers.
Carrier Transicold’s engineless Vector 8100 unit, is a highly efficient and uniquely all-electric trailer refrigeration system that brings benefits of reduced maintenance and noise, while eliminating emissions and fuel consumption associated with traditional diesel TRUs.
“We are excited about our partnership with Wabash,” said eNow President, Jeff Flath. “Our combined technologies should have a major impact in reducing operating cost.”