Cooling on gas: Cool operator cuts carbon and cost
Refrigerated transporter Ferytrans recently returned to Hultsteins for more Ecogen systems, which, connected to six new Scania CNG tractors, will power its current trailer refrigeration units in an effort to cut carbon emissions.
“Sustainability and carbon reduction are key drivers for our customers,” Feri Lazar, Ferytrans managing director, said in a news release. “These gas-powered tractors will reduce our carbon emissions by around 80%. Plus, by fitting Ecogen to run the trailer fridges on electric, we will further reduce carbon emissions by around 17 tonnes (18.7 U.S. tons) per vehicle combination per year.”
Ferytrans also owns BigFoot Logistics. Based in Southampton, England, the two companies operate 40 modern Scania tractor units and 65 high-specification dual-temperature trailers. They work for major retailers and brands, including Amazon, Tesco, and Pork Farms. The new CNG Scanias will be put to work for their customer, Lidl, the companies said.
“Ecogen Cost Saver is a sustainable and retrofittable refrigeration solution,” said Graham Usher, Hultsteins managing director for the U.K. and Ireland. “It allows operators to run their trailer fridge units on electric, thereby cutting carbon emissions by around 80%, DPM by 98% and NOx by 400%. It also reduces R&M on the fridge diesel engine and cuts running costs.”
Ecogen is an electric-hydraulic drive system that transforms diesel fridge units into electric operation when coupled to the tractor. It uses an engine PTO from the tractor engine to generate a constant 400 volts of electricity to run the built-in electric motor in the fridge during transit. Hultsteins also provides a bespoke battery pack to keep the trailer fridge running when parked.
Ferytrans calculated an ROI for around 18 months per Ecogen system, according to Hultsteins.
“By running the fridge on electric, Ecogen also helps minimize noise during deliveries, which is particularly beneficial in residential areas,” Lazar added. “The combination of Scania CNG tractors and Hultsteins’ Ecogen provides the optimum sustainable solution for refrigerated transport.”
