Thermo King, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies, has revealed the results of its AxlePower energy recovery system trials.
The findings underscore the system’s extraordinary contributions to sustainability and efficiency in refrigerated trailer transport. This innovation is a product of collaboration between Thermo King and BPW Bergische Achsen KG, a leading provider of running gears and mobility services.
Laurent Debias, the product management and marketing leader at Thermo King, expressed enthusiasm about the trial results. “The AxlePower system embodies our commitment to sustainability and our focus on innovation and efficiency,” he said. “The trial outcomes clearly indicate that AxlePower is poised to revolutionize environmentally friendly refrigerated transportation. Its substantial reduction in carbon emissions and noise, coupled with decreased operational costs, perfectly aligns with the market’s growing demand for sustainability and cost-efficiency.”
The AxlePower system has undergone extensive field tests across Europe since the last quarter of 2022, involving various customers in six countries. These trials tested diverse configurations of refrigeration units, ranging from hybrid models with diesel backup engines to fully electric, engineless systems. The testing encompassed a broad spectrum of applications, from daily fresh product distribution to long-haul transport of frozen goods, including multi-night stops.
The AxlePower system stands out for its ability to significantly lower carbon emissions and operational noise, making it a breakthrough in the realm of refrigerated transport. Furthermore, it offers substantial cost savings, a critical factor in the current economic climate. This system marks a major stride towards more sustainable and efficient refrigerated trailer transport, setting a new standard in the industry.
Harnessing the energy generated by BPW ePower axle, the system successfully transformed trailers’ refrigeration, especially those in local distribution, into autonomous self-reliant units, reducing fuel tank refills and reliance on the shore power grid. The trial reports demonstrated up to 20 consecutive weeks of electric refrigeration without the restart of the reefer’s diesel engine or connection to shore power.
