PREMIERE

54 54 | PREMIERE Gray & Adams showcases carbon-beating Vector eCool

Leading specialist temperature controlled and bespoke trailer manufacturer Gray & Adams showcased its quality and commitment to sustainable innovation with the new Vector eCool at this year’s Temperature Controlled Storage & Distribution (TCS&D) Show in Peterborough. With sustainability and greener solutions as a strong focus across the whole automotive sector, this innovation offers an interesting carbon-beating solution to an industry-wide problem.

The carbon-reducing Vector eCool trailer has a range of impressive features and technology. Through close collaboration and a special partnership with Carrier Transicold, the businesses worked together to collectively bring the first ever fully electric trailer to the roads in 2021. The product has already been a big success story for the close partnership between Carrier Transicold and Gray & Adams, with many road transport operators across the UK having already trialed and tested the vehicle as part of a robust trailer demonstrator programme.

Built into a dual temperature, twin member trailer with a tail lift, the Vector eCool utilises a new energy recovery and storage system which converts kinetic energy generated by the trailer axle and brakes into electricity, which is then stored in a battery pack that powers the refrigeration unit. This loop creates a fully autonomous system which produces no direct carbon dioxide and doesn’t require any modification to the tractor unit or the fitting of expensive eco-drives and PTO’s.

Suitable for operation with the engineless versions of the Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 and Vector 1550 E, the Vector eCool tri-axle trailer features aerodynamic cappings to reduce drag, while bespoke sideguards allow access to the battery system and offers protection to cyclists and other vulnerable road users. Even with the axle generator and battery pack, it is lighter than a standard diesel unit with a full tank of fuel.

Carrier Transicold has been working in close partnership with Gray & Adams on the design of the Vector eCool trailer to maximise the environmental benefits of the system. Where traditional belt-driven systems suffer a loss of up to 40% kilowatts cooling power when converting electrical energy into their required mechanical drive, the Carrier E-Drive ensures the eCool has consistent, efficient cooling power and pull-down speeds whether operating on battery power or when plugged into the mains grid. The system has been designed to help customers improve fleet sustainability and future proof their operations – particularly when considering the tightening restrictions and regulations relating to Low Emission Zones and urban operations.

“We have a special relationship with Carrier; working so closely with them to bring the Vector eCool to the UK has been really exciting,” said Peter Gray, Joint Managing Director, Gray & Adams. He continued: “Our design teams have seamlessly integrated the axle, braking and battery systems that make up the eCool into a trailer that has the potential to completely change the face of refrigerated transport and will help the industry to move forward into a more sustainable future.”

“As a family business with more almost 65 years’ experience in the industry, we work hard to attract and retain the best industry talent. Our specialist teams, from our design engineers to our sales professionals, are one of the reasons that our customers come back to work with us, time and again,” concluded Peter.