TRUCK NEWS

Circle K announce ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative to support Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls

Circle K, Ireland’s largest forecourt retailer and proud partner of both Irish Olympic and Paralympic Teams, has launched the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative, which has been developed to support Irish athletes on the road to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Circle K customers can show their support for Ireland’s homegrown champions by simply scanning either the Circle K app or their Play or Park loyalty tag in-store. In so doing, they will automatically generate digital coins, which Team Ireland athletes can then use to fuel their journey to Tokyo. Athletes who sign up to the initiative can use the digital coins to redeem complementary miles fuel at all 410 Circle K service stations, as well as food or refreshments at any of the participating Circle K stores between now and the Tokyo 2020 Games. It is estimated that approximately €250,000 worth of digital coins will be generated over the course of the initiative, all of which will be shared evenly amongst Team Ireland hopefuls. Sixty Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls from around the country have already signed up to the ‘Here for Ireland’ initiative.

Thermo King Introduces Hybrid Refrigeration System for Trucks

Thermo King has introduced new hybrid refrigeration systems designed to lower environmental impact and reduce operating costs of truck transport operations.

The new Thermo King T-Series Hybrid and UT Hybrid refrigeration systems for trucks, drawbar trailers and high-loaders answer the demand for technologies that give transport companies easier access to restricted, low-emission urban areas while lowering operating costs in the same time. The new hybrid single - and multi-temperature solution for trucks builds on the proven track record of the Thermo King SLXi Hybrid trailer systems. Frigoblock alternator and inverterdrive technology allow switching the power of the nose-mount T-Series Hybrid and under-mount UT Hybrid refrigeration units between diesel and electric as required or necessary. This enables the transport companies to operate in inner cities, residential areas and low emission zones with the refrigeration unit’s diesel engine turned off. During the development of the new hybrid solution, Thermo King worked with Castell Howell Foods, one of the UK’s leading independent food wholesalers. Since May 2019, Castell Howell has conducted thorough, reallife testing by operating the truck equipped with the Thermo King UT Hybrid Spectrum undermount refrigeration unit. “We have been running the hybrid truck six days a week on mixed routes combining motorway and city centre routes with upwards of 30 deliveries a day,” said Martin Jones, director of transport operations at Castell Howell Foods. “With the hybrid mode always on we experienced fuel savings reaching approximately 20 litres of fuel each day, six days a week. It’s a significant mark in the truck’s operational bottom line and we’re really pleased to see how the Thermo King system combines the best of both alternator-driven electric and diesel technologies and how it has worked out in the field.”

Renault Trucks Launch 2020 Versions of T and T High Models

Renault Trucks is launching the 2020 versions of its range of long haul trucks. The Range T and T High are more fuel efficient, while remaining as committed as ever to driver comfort.

The Renault Trucks T cab features new top-of-the-range finishes, including all-textile seats and a leather steering wheel. For improved driving comfort, a three-way adjustable steering column is now fitted as standard. The 2020 Renault Trucks T and T High are equipped with new rear cab overhead compartments that offer 221 litres storage capacity, with three illuminated 36cm high lockers with sliding curtain closures. Aluminium door handle door sills and metal door sills add to the high quality finish. Outside, the radiator grill and wing mirrors can still be customised in either glossy black or orange, available as an option for the 2020 Renault Trucks T and T High. The T and T High can also be fitted with Roadpad+ as an option. Acting as an on-board assistant, it enables drivers to listen

to music, use their telephone hands-free, and manoeuvre safely thanks to its rear and side cameras. With Roadpad+, the driver also obtains navigation assistance from a truck-specific satnav system. Renault Trucks’ Long Haul range is fitted with DTI 11 and DTI 13 Euro 6 Step D engines. Both are fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, with a 3% reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions compared with the previous generation. The 2020 versions of the Renault Trucks T and T High feature a new high-efficiency axle and lighter disc brakes, further reducing fuel consumption. Optionally, new vehicle settings can be activated, providing an additional 3% saving. Incidentally, the Renault Trucks T and T High engines are compatible with XTL synthetic fuel and biodiesel.