Thermo King launches industry electrification council
Thermo King announced the launch of an industry council, which the company says is aimed at understanding the challenges behind a zero-emissions cold chain and developing a roadmap to an all-electric transport industry. The council is an online community made up of various-sized fleets including refrigerated and mixed-load trucks and trailers for long-haul, mid-mile and
XL Fleet announces partnership with eNow
XL Fleet Corp. announced a new agreement and investment in eNow Inc., a provider of solar and battery power systems that enable fully-electric Transport Refrigeration Units (eTRUs) for Class 8 commercial trailers. Under the terms of the agreement, XL Fleet will supply battery and power electronics systems for the first 1,000 units of eNow’s new
Kinedyne releases new Kold-Front refrigerated curtain system
Kinedyne has introduced the new Kold-Front Refrigerated Curtain System, which the company says is a driver-friendly alternative to PVC strip curtains and provides improved thermal resistance and greater durability. Kold-Front provides improved insulation to maintain required low interior temperatures while loading and unloading cargo. Instead of plastic rollers, Kold-Front curtains are equipped with the company’s
Podcast: Thermo King on the challenges and potential benefits of electrification
Electrification: it’s all the rage right now. OEMs are talking about it, component suppliers are talking about it, fleets are talking about it, and we’re certainly talking about it here on Fleet Equipment. There is a lot of excitement in the air, but also a lot of questions. And this was the subject of a
Keep your cool: Transportation refrigeration unit maintenance tips
The summer heat cooks the blacktop. Truck seats and steering wheels are nearly too hot to touch. And the transportation refrigeration unit (TRU) is working overtime to keep the load cool. Now is not the time to wonder if you performed the required TRU preventive maintenance the last time the trailer was in the shop.
Thermo King unveils lighter transport refrigeration unit
Thermo King introduced the SLXi Local transport refrigeration unit (TRU) that is up to 200 lbs lighter than other TRUs to increase payload capacity. “The Thermo King SLXi Local is ideal for urban distribution. Distributors can’t fill their trailer to capacity due to weight restrictions when transporting heavy cargo products like milk and water,” said
Thermo King offers new options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions related to refrigeration
Thermo King, a manufacturer of transport temperature control solutions for mobile applications and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, announced that it will offer its transport customers a choice on how and when to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. The company’s new line of trailer and self-powered truck units are energy efficient, reliable and use a next
Refrigerated trailer monitoring for food safety, profitability
According to a strategy document issued May 2014 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), planning has begun for the next phase of Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) implementation. The act shifts the focus of how the United States regulates the safety of its food supply from responding to food safety issues reactively to
Green refrigerated transport: Benefits of new TRU technologies
According to Tom Kampf, product manager for Thermo King, even though Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier 4 Final standards took effect a year ago, refrigerated fleet operators continue to have a choice when it comes to selecting the transportation refrigeration unit (TRU) that best meets their needs. That is because the EPA regulations that cover
Saving reefer fuel
Refrigerated carriers like TransAm Trucking and Witte Bros. Exchange are also taking the opportunity to reduce fuel use from the fleets’ refrigeration units. TransAm Trucking, which Thermo King recently presented with its Energy Efficiency Leader Award in recognition of the carrier’s commitment to energy and operational efficiency and sustainability, has chosen to upgrade its entire
Choosing SmartWay vehicle components to save fuel
In 2004, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched SmartWay, a public/private collaboration with the freight transportation industry that helps carriers and other companies improve fuel efficiency and lower costs. EPA’s SmartWay Technology program develops test protocols, reviews strategies and verifies the performance of vehicles, technologies and equipment that have the potential to reduce greenhouse
Fleets leverage IT to streamline the business process
In today’s regulatory and economic climate, it is becoming imperative for refrigerated transportation assets to be monitored and controlled in real time, according to Craig Montgomery, senior vice president of marketing for ORBCOMM Inc. As a result, fleets are increasingly embracing telematics technology. As an example, Montgomery cites a recent contract signed by ORBCOMM’s StarTrak division
