eNow recently entered an agreement with Leonard’s Express for the lease of two new eNow electric transport refrigeration units (TRUs).
One eNow Rayfrigeration trailer is all-electric and features a Carrier Vector 8100 reefer unit. The second, also electric powered but with diesel backup, features the Carrier Vector 8500/8600 unit.
“We take pride in our fleet of state-of-the-art refrigeration units, and so we are excited to partner with eNow and help lead the way to a future with clean, quiet, emission-free TRUs,” said Ken Johnson, CEO at Leonard’s Express. “Because we move frozen vegetables, dairy products, and temperature-sensitive produce from various origins across the U.S., primarily from the West Coast or Florida to the Northeast, we are an ideal test partner for eNow’s technology.
“And, if eNow’s systems work like we believe it will, we see adopting hundreds of units over the next several years.”
Leonard’s Express is a family-owned, asset-based refrigerated transportation provider based in upstate New York that has delivered best-in-class for more than 40 years. Headquartered in Farmington, N.Y., the company has offices in 13 states across the U.S., and Ontario. Its fleet has 650 tractor trailers offering refrigerated and van service.
eNow, a Rhode Island company, successfully tested the first zero-emission eTRU for commercial use on a Challenge Dairy truck making deliveries in an urban area in 2017. Its diesel-free reefer system was deployed during a hot summer in Fresno, Calif., with partial funding by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). The eNow system achieved emission reductions of 98% nitrous oxide, 86% carbon dioxide, and 97% particulate matter, compared to traditional diesel-powered systems.
“eNow is thrilled to partner with Leonard’s Express,” said Jeff Flath, president and CEO at eNow. “With ever-rising transportation costs, eNow Rayfrigeration technology promises to revolutionize commercial transportation by eliminating the need for diesel fuel for trailer refrigeration. This alone will save the food and transportation industry millions in operating costs. Lower equipment maintenance costs are a bonus.”
