First-of-its-kind trailer halves CO2 emissions!

“Eco-friendly” is not just a buzzword that will be used for a few years and then forgotten. Taking care of the environment has become a way of life, and many companies are doing what they can to change the way they do business.

UK-based supply chain service provider, Fowler Welch, recently launched a new eco trailer for the transportation of temperature-controlled products. It is the first of its kind to harness kinetic energy to power the refrigeration unit. The new product can, potentially, reduce the company’s CO₂ emissions by over 14 000 kg per year.

“It is an important step for us and our partners to introduce the first operational ACS (Auxiliary Charging System) trailer to the UK supply chain industry,” says Nick Hay, CEO of Fowler Welch. “Listening to the needs of our customers, many of whom cite environmental targets as a major influencer on their supply chain operation, we are looking forward to seeing how the new eco trailer can help to deliver these targets.”

To achieve a product with an output of less than 50 percent CO₂, Fowler Welch collaborated with with IRC (International Refrigeration Cooling Ltd.) and Thermo King. The trailer was designed in such a way that it stores previously lost energy generated from the axle to power the refrigeration unit.

“At Thermo King, we’re constantly looking at opportunities to address our customers’ environmental considerations such as low noise, low emissions and lower global warming potential,” says Steve Williams, UK sales manager at Thermo King. “By participating in innovative projects like this, we aim to help our customers reduce their environmental footprint and total cost of ownership.”

The new ACS system converts kinetic energy from the wheels to generate electrical power which allows the refrigeration unit to run while the vehicle is in motion. The system also charges in-built batteries from as little as 8 km/h allowing up to 90 minutes of stationary power before the hybrid motor kicks in.