Range Energy booth at an industry fair. In pilot projects starting in the second half of 2024, the group’s trailers will be tested using several hybrid trailer refrigeration units and electric TRUs. (John Somers II for transportation topics)
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Range Energy is teaming up with Thermo King to study the potential of electric refrigerated trailers, the companies said May 9.
Mountain View, Calif.-based startup Range Trailers aims to reduce diesel consumption with an e-axle, battery pack and smart main axle.
In pilot projects starting in the second half of this year and continuing through 2025, range trailers will be tested with several hybrid trailer refrigeration units and electric TRUs, and possible combinations evaluated, the companies said.
Paul Cross, trailer innovation leader for Thermo King Americas, told Transport Topics that testing will include several single-temperature and multi-temperature configurations that will utilize Trane Technologies’ latest TRUs on Range trailers.
Testing will be conducted with a variety of customers and applications ranging from grocery and food services to regional and transportation applications, Cross said in a May 10 email.
Previous Thermo King S-750i Single Temperature Refrigeration Unit. (John Somers II for transportation topics)
“Thermo King’s commitment to sustainability and decarbonization is matched only by our drive to provide customers with the solutions they need. Integrating innovative technologies, like Range’s electric trailer platform, that can help us “In providing more efficient and reliable transportation solutions while keeping transported food and perishable items safe and fresh.”
To date, Range’s product pilots have focused on dry van trailers, including testing with DB Schenker scheduled to begin in the latter half of 2024.
DB Schenker (North America) is ranked No. 25 on Transport Topics’ Top 100 list of the largest logistics companies in North America, No. 13 on TT’s list of largest dry storage companies, and No. 3 among the largest air freight companies.
Range is scheduled to introduce the next version of its electrified dry trailers later in May, a spokeswoman confirmed in April.
The demo version of the trailers will provide a full representation of the company’s trailer capabilities, CEO Ali Javidan told TT on the sidelines of CES in January.
Range currently offers its Alpha with replacement motors and batteries, which don’t show the full performance of the trailer, the executive said.
Next year, Range will begin transitioning from demo trailers to “release candidate” trailers, Javidan told TT. The trailer range will be expanded to full production in 2025. At the end of 2025 or beginning of 2026, small series production will begin.
Range raised $23.5 million in new funding in February. Investors included Trousdale Ventures, UP.Partners, R7 Partners and Yamaha Motors Ventures.
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(tags for translation) Thermo King
