PFG, OEM partners pilot electric refrigerated truck
Performance Food Group (PFG) recently collaborated with Navistar, Great Dane, and Carrier Transicold to launch a commercial evaluation program using all-electric refrigeration technology on a battery-electric truck for sustainable, direct-emissions-free distribution of refrigerated and frozen food.
PFG’s solution, featured this week at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Anaheim, California, features Carrier Transicold’s Supra eCool electric transport refrigeration unit (eTRU), an International eMV Series battery-electric truck with a factory-installed ePower electrical system, and a 22-ft. Alpine S-Series insulated body by Great Dane. The truck will serve PFG operations in California, supporting the food service distributor’s sustainability initiatives while marking an important step toward compliance with new regulations requiring adoption of zero-direct emission truck refrigeration technologies in the state, the companies said.
“Mitigating our carbon footprint through use of advanced technologies helps us to be responsible stewards of the environment,” Jeff Williamson, senior vice president of operations at PFG, stated in a news release. “The use of direct-emissions-free transportation and refrigeration technologies by these industry-leading collaborators offers tremendous potential in helping us to achieve key sustainability goals and metrics.”
PFG said the collaboration will help it realize the potential of transformative battery-electric technologies.
“With its optimized performance, our energy-efficient, engineless Supra eCool electric refrigeration unit seamlessly draws power from the International eMV Series’ ePower electrical system to support PFG’s daily deliveries,” said Alice DeBiasio, VP and general manager for truck trailer Americas and digital solutions at Carrier.
Control interface commonalities between the Supra eCool unit and the traditional Supra diesel units used by PFG will help its drivers transition to all-electric refrigeration.
“International believes in a future of emobility, and we are proud to support PFG in its electric vehicle journey,” said Debbie Shust, VP of medium-duty International truck business at Navistar. “The collaboration among International, Great Dane and Carrier Transicold demonstrates successful teamwork and technology integration to meet the performance and sustainability needs of PFG.”
Added Tim Miller, director of truck bodies for Great Dane: “Great Dane has been privileged to partner with PFG for several years to develop a truck body equipped with new technology to support its current applications.
“In support of PFG’s battery electric vehicle program, we reduced truck body weight and increased thermal efficiency, while minimizing changes to the overall body design.”
