Wabash receives government research grant

Wabash has been selected to receive a $1.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Solar Energy Technologies Office, to support a research and development project.

Aimed at decarbonising the commercial transportation industry, the three-year project will be in partnership with the University of Delaware’s Center for Composite Materials. It will focus on integrating high-efficiency solar energy into refrigerated trailers and truck bodies, and will play a pivotal role in making zero-emission, mid-mile transportation a commercially viable option.

“This project has the potential to revolutionise refrigerated transport by reducing reliance on the electrical grid and minimising overall emissions,” said Wabash Director of Technology, Discovery and Innovation at Wabash, Michael Bodey. “While many of today’s zero-emission products focus on tailpipe emissions, they still draw power from energy grids, which often rely on non-renewable sources. Our goal is to offer a truly green solution—a well-to-wheel approach—that accounts for the full life cycle of energy consumption, from production to usage.”

Wabash will use its proprietary EcoNex Technology, a composite material designed to enhance thermal efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while the University of Delaware will contribute its proprietary TuFF technology, which uses recycled aerospace-grade carbon fibre, to strengthen and lighten the trailers and truck bodies.

Batteries powering heavy trucks can weigh between 2,000 to 5,000 kilograms, often limiting the payload capacity and drawing significant energy from the electrical grid when charging. The goal of this project is to develop enabling technologies that reduce the weight and energy needs of these vehicles while offering fleet customers greener, more efficient transportation options.

“TuFF is the world’s strongest short fibre composite that is reciprocal with sustainable solutions to the mobility industry. It’s great to collaborate with Wabash on building the most sustainable solar panel integrated refrigerated trailer for the trucking industry,” said the Director of the Center for Composites Materials at the University of Delaware, Srikanth Pilla.

Wabash is the only trailer and truck body original equipment manufacturer selected for this government grant.

In other news, Terex has finalised the acquisition of Environmental Solutions Group.

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