Rental and leasing company TIP is encouraging operators to try its electric reefer trailer products without committing to a hire contract, in order to better understand the operational and financial aspects.
With minimum trial periods of four weeks, the provider is offering customers three types of e-reefer systems for trial and hire.
Firstly, its trailers with axle energy recuperation systems recover energy from braking or downhill driving and convert this into power which is stored in a battery. This provides zero emission temperature control using recovered energy.
Option two is a battery and solar-powered system where the top of the refrigerated trailer is equipped with solar panels which charge an on-board battery. When additional power is required, it can be plugged into an outlet at the depot.
Also, battery and solar-powered systems can be retrofitted to existing trailers, which can support fleets with their decarbonisation targets without the need to invest in new vehicles. The existing diesel drive setup is retained which can be used as a backup.
Mark Carlin, Fleet and Engineering Director, TIP UK & Ireland, said the programme provides operators with a combination of independent advice, flexibility to trial more than one of the technologies and the offer of a comprehensive reporting suite as part of the trials.
He added: “Our approach is all about offering practical, scalable options that help refrigerated fleets transition towards lower emissions, using the technology that best fits their needs.
“We’re now set-up to allow operators to trial different solutions as part of our commitment to helping them on their road to zero emissions.”
