Thermo King says its new E-COOLPAC battery solutions, offer a sustainable alternative to traditional gensets and refrigeration systems.
The new E-COOLPAC batteries provide zero direct emissions and can electrify refrigerated trucks, trailers, and marine containers, furthering the industry’s move toward greener transportation solutions.
The E-COOLPAC project is the result of a strategic partnership between Thermo King and AKSA Würenlos AG, a Swiss company known for its energy systems expertise. The collaboration has produced a versatile and modular battery solution that can be installed or retrofitted to existing fleets, including hybrid, LNG, electric, and diesel-powered trucks, trailers, and marine container chassis.
Eneko Fernandez, Truck Product Leader at Thermo King, explained, “Together with AKSA, we combined decades of industry insights and expertise to create highly efficient, reliable, and flexible solutions for transport refrigeration electrification. E-COOLPAC offers robustness and quality, validated against strict industry standards. It provides our customers with the ability to upgrade their fleets to meet ultra-low and zero-emission zone regulations, diesel ban areas, and low-noise requirements.”
Modular and Future-Proof Design
The E-COOLPAC battery packs are available in a range of capacities, from 15 kWh to 105 kWh, and are compatible with a variety of refrigeration units, including Thermo King’s self-powered and vehicle-powered units, as well as selected Frigoblock solutions. The batteries can also be used as a sustainable genset replacement for refrigerated marine containers, offering power to units when they are not connected to the grid or vessel power.
The modular design of the E-COOLPAC allows for easy expansion. The base units, which range from 15 kWh to 35 kWh, can be fitted with plug-and-play battery extension modules to boost capacity. For example, a 35 kWh base unit can be expanded with 35 kWh or 70 kWh battery modules, reaching a maximum capacity of 105 kWh. All the power electronics, controls, and battery modules are contained within a compact, robust enclosure, ensuring durability and ease of integration.
“The modularity of the design future-proofs customer investments,” Fernandez added. “As their needs grow or change, they can easily extend their battery range, providing peace of mind and flexibility for long-term operations.”
Marine and Road Solutions
Peter Hansen, Senior Product Manager for Thermo King Global Marine, Rail, and Bus, highlighted how the E-COOLPAC is particularly beneficial for transporters of refrigerated marine containers. “Operators running port-to-distribution centre operations or daily reefer container transport can use E-COOLPAC as an alternative to diesel gensets, reducing emissions and complying with local regulations,” Hansen said. The E-COOLPAC batteries are compatible with EU flexi chassis and EU skeleton chassis, offering flexibility in configuration with both side-mount and centre-mount options.
Telematics and Control
To help customers optimise their operations, E-COOLPAC includes advanced telematics capabilities, enabling real-time monitoring and data analysis. Fleet operators can track vehicle location, the state of charge, and the operation of the E-COOLPAC system. The unit also features an intuitive control panel for drivers, providing them with the ability to monitor battery status, adjust the charging current, switch operating frequency between 50Hz and 60Hz, and receive alarms.
“The ability to monitor and control the unit remotely or via the control panel provides transporters with a level of operational control that is crucial for managing energy consumption and efficiency,” noted Fernandez.
E-COOLPAC batteries can be charged using standard commercial or light industrial power grids, as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations equipped with type 2 or type 3 connectors. This flexibility in charging options ensures that transport operators can easily integrate the solution into their existing infrastructure.
The launch of E-COOLPAC aligns with Thermo King and Trane Technologies’ broader sustainability goals, including the Gigaton Challenge, which aims to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons by 2030. E-COOLPAC is an important step toward achieving these targets, providing a practical solution for reducing the environmental impact of refrigerated transportation, says the manufacturer.
