Whether as a shareholder, investor or even as a field tester, Trailer Dynamics understands, when it comes to innovative decarbonisation, robust partnerships are a must.
This is especially necessary when you have the bold goal of developing an electrified trailer that will reduce the diesel and CO2 emissions of conventional diesel trucks and have scheduled its production for the end of 2025.
Founded in 2018 in Aachen, Germany, Trailer Dynamics is currently in the final stages of technical validation for its eTrailer’s road approval, and is collaborating closely with trailer and truck manufacturers, logistics companies and regulatory authorities.
The German technology innovator has garnered widespread support since its inception, beginning with its long-time partner and shareholder Krone.
In May, the company announced it would partner with Trane Technologies, a leader in sustainable transport temperature control solutions. Under its brand Thermo King, it will provide expertise on electrification and transport refrigeration solutions. The collaboration will enable integration of technologies, providing enhanced logistics capabilities for trade, industry and freight forwarders, hauling fresh and frozen goods.
JOST’s strategic investment in Trailer Dynamics is an important step in supporting innovative solutions that accelerate the decabonisation and the economic efficiency of the transport and logistics industry.
Strategically, Trailer Dynamics has always prioritised partners that do not have overlapping products, ensuring that all parties focus on advancing the development of Trailer Dynamics’ eTrailers. Each partner contributes their products and expertise, with the goal of generating collective added value, the company said.
How it works
Trailer Dynamics’ offering is a comprehensive solution concept for decarbonising, as well as increasing the efficiency of long-haul heavy goods transport by installing an additional battery-electric drivetrain in the trailer.
The eTrailer, synchronised with the truck unit in real-time control and independent of the truck manufacturer, supports the primary drive of the diesel truck unit and thus enables diesel consumption and CO2 reductions of 40 per cent or more, depending on the topography, traffic and payload situation.
The intelligent, real-time control of kingpin technology and energy management functions optimise the overall performance and efficiency of the semitrailer system, reducing both fuel consumption and operating costs.
The eTrailer achieves a significant reduction in consumption in combination with the existing diesel truck unit fleet, but also enables a significant increase in range in combination with a battery-electric trailer unit.
Several field tests with customers like DSV, DB Schenker and Duvenbeck, together with Volkswagen Group Logistics, BMW among others, have already shown the significant fuel savings of ICE truck with eTrailer combinations and increased range of the all-electric vehicle combinations.
Trailer Dynamics is actively and continuously testing 10 eTrailer prototypes with its dedicated test team to assess their reliability, durability and functional safety across a variety of driving conditions, distances, and load scenarios. Over the next few months, the eTrailer test fleet will be substantially expanded to facilitate more extensive field testing with customers.
To enhance fleet management and improve the efficiency of eTrailer usage, Trailer Dynamics has developed a web-based digital simulation tool. This tool is tailored to individual use cases, providing crucial consumption and energy data, and is complemented by a certified CO2 footprint document specific to each use case.
Testing the market
So far, the market potential for the eTrailer is looking promising. Since the last IAA-Transportation in 2022, Trailer Dynamics has secured 6,500 eTrailer reservations from 160 logistics companies and freight forwarders. This highlights the strong demand for innovative solutions aimed at reducing emissions in freight transport and advancing the transition towards sustainable green logistics.
At 2024 IAA Transportation expo Hanover, Germany, Trailer Dynamics will showcase its eTrailer technology, along with other disruptive innovations for green logistic and digital solutions for its customers fleet management.