A solar energy provider in collaboration with eNow is set to fit refrigeration trucks with solar panelled roofs that would cut emissions of power vehicles while keeping 1,000 trailers full of food cool, a report from Good News Network explains.
The transportation loads of food to local supermarkets are generally cooled by diesel fuel-cooled trucks. Diesel tractors burn about a gallon of fuel every hour while releasing more than 22 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
The efforts to reduce carbon emissions are snowballing worldwide amidst the increasing concern for the damage caused by climate change. A majority thinks that an increase in refrigerated food delivery trucks is an issue that needs attention. For instance, in 2015, a report conducted in the European Union revealed that refrigerated transport vehicles released 56 times more carbon emissions than ordinary ones.
XL Fleet will supply battery and power electronics systems for the first 1,000 units of eNow’s new electrified refrigerated trailer solutions. Both the companies aim to resolve the problem through their battery system that largely powers the refrigerators and services such as air conditioning using solar power.
“This partnership will change the way the transportation industry thinks about energy and refrigerated transportation,” said Jeff Flath, President and CEO at eNow, “[and it will help] to eliminate a major source of diesel fuel consumption and emissions for fleets.”
The company’s mission is to assist corporations in reducing their carbon with electrified transport solutions while leading them to achieve their green goals. In addition, eNow’s solar systems capture the sun’s energy with roof-mounted solar modules and then store energy in auxiliary batteries that power air conditioning, lighting, refrigeration, and lift gates for trucks.
XL Fleet’s partnership with eNow accelerates a sustainable all-electric solution. Both companies are collaborating on designing a system, an integrated lithium-ion battery and power electronics technology that will be installed underfloor on the Class 8 trailers, offering roughly 12 hours or more of run time between charges. Roof-mounted solar panels will be used for charging the batteries and powering systems during the loading and unloading of the trailer.
The system is anticipated to be delivered to operators during the first half of 2022.
IPCC’s report on climate change labelled “code red for humanity” also emphasizes that any calamity can be handled if firms and governments collaboratively operate. Similarly, companies like eNow and XL Fleet can only go ahead if the government has their back at all times.
