FRIDGE TRAILERS
WWW.EXPORTANDFREIGHT.COM
MAJOR ADVANCES IN REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT Over recent years, there have been some significant technological advances in the transportation of chilled and frozen goods, pharmaceuticals and other temperature sensitive cargoes. We have also seen the introduction of quite strict rules and regulations governing inner city and urban operations, especially in relation to reducing the level of noise emissions, which is one of the key requirements for transport operators using refrigeration units. And then there is the even bigger issue regarding the impending withdrawal of the tax
rebate on red diesel; it comes into effect on April 1st next year. That has led to manufacturers of refrigeration units urging operators to be prepared for the price hikes well in advance. According to Hultsteins, the British and Swedish hydraulic refrigeration & electric hybrid systems manufacturer, operators can avoid the inevitable and very significant cost burden by
fitting an engine drive PTO, to power an on-board electrical generator which will drive their existing fridge. Alternatively, say the company, they can fit a hydraulic fridge system to any truck or drawbar system and stop using diesel altogether. Anybody doing so, they say, will benefit from reduced fuel consumption, lower carbon output, less noise and significant reductions in NOx and
particulate emissions. Also, apart from the obvious environmental benefits, operators will be able to drive into the numerous clean air zones currently being identified by local authorities throughout this year and next. Over the following few pages, we take a look at new innovations, technologies and other developments in this growing sector.
Thermo King Introduces Advancer Whisper Pro Thermo King has introduced its latest, ultra-quiet addition to its Advancer A-Series trailer refrigeration systems - the A-500 Whisper Pro. The new model is compliant with the most stringent noise regulations including PIEK , and allows for inner-city deliveries at any time of day and night. Thermo King A-Series units are up to 30% more fuel-efficient and offer are up to 40 percent quicker pull down than the market average. The A-500 Whisper Pro offers the same high performance with sound level below the PIEK enforced 60 dB (A) standard. “European cities are committed to reducing the level of noise emission to improve inner-city living conditions. It’s one of the key requirements for transporters operating in urban areas to ensure their refrigeration units meet the strict noise regulations,” said Laurent Debias, product and marketing director at Thermo King in Europe, Middle East and Africa. “For decades, Thermo King has prioritized noise attenuation across all its product lines. Advancer units are already one of the most silent trailer refrigeration units on the market today. With our Whisper Pro model, we went the extra mile and our offering our customers the highest cooling capacity for a trailer unit that can enter a city at night.” The A-500 Whisper Pro is using geo-fencing to automatically switch into low-noise mode when entering a pre-defined zone. This allows the transporters to operate unrestricted day and night schedules with the peace of mind that the unit complies with the regulations in the given area. “Studies show that operating outside rush hour can result in 14% faster distribution routes”, said Colm O’Grady, product manager Trailer at Thermo King. “With the A-500 Whisper Pro, dispatchers can plan a more efficient night route, to avoid rush hour, traffic jams and save precious time. Our new Advancer unit offers them more flexible operations and more possibilities to deliver their freight.”
36
EXPORT&FREIGHT
Thermo King Advancer A-Series includes unique features that comprehensively address a wide range of operational and financial challenges, including:
engines with 50 percent less emissions than the maximum allowed by latest NRMM Stage V emission standards
• Complete transparency of fuel levels and fuel consumption. Customers can easily access the fuel consumption data of the unit - recorded, displayed, and made available remotely via telematics.
• Lower maintenance costs and enhanced serviceability compared to the predecessor, thanks to sensors offering more insight into the engine, fuel, battery and the performance of other key components
• Fully variable airflow that can be regulated for each journey and cargo, and is independent from unit engine speed
• Future-ready power agnostic capabilities that can utilize diesel, axle generator, or shore power sources with ease
• Unrivalled electrical and fuel efficiency contributing to lower CO2 footprint and
• 2 years of full telematics connectivity in the purchase price.
