Isuzu Commercial Truck of America announces the development of the all-electric Isuzu NRR EV truck integrated with the all-electric Thermo King e300 Transport Refrigeration Unit (TRU). The new product was introduced during the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) exhibition.
Isuzu’s NRR EV was announced in March 2023 and is scheduled for production this summer. The 5 Series NRR-EV is the next generation of medium-duty delivery trucks from Isuzu.
Isuzu says its N Series trucks have long been industry favorites for their maneuverability and visibility, two key attributes of their low-cab front design. The NRR-EV has three wheelbase widths (132.5 inches, 150 inches, and 176 inches) that allow customers to choose between 14 to 20 feet. Bodies benefit from 19,500 GVWR for the vehicle. When it comes to the powertrain, Isuzu adds that the NRR-EV can be equipped with one of four battery pack configurations (60 kWh, 100 kWh, 140 kWh, and 180 kWh) with different rating ranges from 60 to 235 A mile.
“Our new NRR-EV has been the hottest conversation over the past two years. We knew we had a good solution for dry product delivery, but many of our customers also needed refrigerated delivery,” says Sean Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “With all the intricacies of the powertrain and the new approach to cooling, this really shows the power of the collaboration between Isuzu and Thermo King,” he said. “The engineers have worked tirelessly to get this right, and customers will appreciate what this truck can do.” For Isuzu, this is among the fifth-tier all-electric refrigerated truck offerings and will open new doors for us and our brand.
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Isuzu says the truck’s new powertrain is equipped with an electric power take-off (ePTO) motor that has an operating range of 7 to 12 kWh with a peak output of 26 kWh for high demand such as when operating a dump body under a heavy load. Isuzu adds another key feature to the ePTO which is that it operates seamlessly without a key. This means that the driver does not need to turn the volume up or down to meet the power requirements of the on-board equipment. The NRR-EV’s on-board computer will communicate directly with the all-electric Thermo King e300 transport refrigeration unit and provide the necessary power.
The Class 5 refrigerated truck solution developed by Thermo King is fully integrated into the OEM’s electric vehicle architecture. Isuzu says customers can order the EV chassis with an all-electric transmission refrigeration unit to meet their delivery needs. The front mount for refrigerated box trucks is designed to help companies meet carbon removal regulations and targets. It can also provide cooling for single temperature applications with minimal impact on the Isuzu NRR-EV range. The E300’s electric reciprocating compressor provides constant, continuous system capacity regardless of whether the vehicle is parked or moving on the road. The company adds that the capacity is not susceptible to various changes in engine rpm that affect the performance of a conventional engine-driven system.
The e300 also eliminates traditional components such as the belt-driven compressor, mounting and drive assembly, and cooling hose. Isuzu says installers will appreciate the reduction in overall installation time and owners will appreciate increased reliability because fewer parts mean fewer breakdowns. The e300 also uses R-452A refrigerant, a low GWP refrigerant that reduces direct CO2 emissions by approximately 50% per unit compared to conventional R-404A refrigerant.
“Thermo King recognizes the power of collaboration to drive industry progress. Strategic collaborations, such as the partnership with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, underscore our commitment to providing our joint customers with the latest technologies that align with OEM developments and drive Zero-Emission Transportation Forward.” King of the Americas.
