Solar-Powered Refrigeration Trucks Will Cut Pollution From Idling Diesel Engines

A supplier of solar and battery power systems is ready to equip the refrigeration trucks with roofs with solar panels that would reduce emissions and keep 1,000 trailers full of food cool.

Transporting tons of food to local supermarkets is typically cooled with diesel fuel. Idling diesel tractors burn about a gallon of fuel every hour while releasing more than 22 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Under the terms of a new agreement, XL Fleet will supply batteries and power electronics for the first 1,000 units of eNow’s new electrified refrigerated trailer solutions.

XL Fleet’s mission is to help corporations and their fleets reduce operating costs while helping them achieve their green goals.

ENow solar systems capture the sun’s energy with roof-mounted solar modules and then store the energy in auxiliary batteries that are used to power lift doors, cabin air conditioning, refrigeration and lighting.

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Approximately 50,000 new diesel-powered refrigerated trailers are sold annually in the US, and XL Fleet’s partnership with eNow accelerates a sustainable all-electric solution.

XL Fleet and eNow are collaborating on the design and development of the system, especially an integrated lithium-ion battery and power electronics technology that will be installed under the floor in Class 8 trailers, providing approximately 12 hours or more of driving time. operation between charges.

Solar panels mounted on the roof of the trailer will be used to charge the batteries and power systems at idle or during trailer loading and unloading.

The system will be equipped with a thermal management system to allow year-round operation in North America.

CHECK: Rather than dumping rejected food shipments into landfills, truckers are donating them to local charities.

They can be transported by traditional internal combustion engines or electrified tractors, as a way for fleet managers to reduce emissions immediately and significantly. Delivery is expected in the first half of 2022.

“We have been collaborating with eNow on the critical engineering elements of this exciting next generation electrified refrigerated trailer offering for some time now, and we continue to be impressed by the team’s technology, ingenuity and shared passion for sustainability.” said Dimitri Kazarinoff, CEO of XL Fleet.

“This partnership will change the way the transportation industry thinks about energy and refrigerated transportation,” said Jeff Flath, president and CEO of eNow, “to eliminate a major source of diesel fuel consumption and emissions for fleets.” .

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