Munich, Germany: Chereau and Sono Motors are to build a solar trailer with 58.9sq m of solar panels in a bid to further reduce global fossil fuel emissions.
Chereau’s solar powered trailer has an electric fridge that can be powered by a 380-volt socket or by battery.
The battery pack is recharged by a 24Kw energy recovery axle or 27 square metres of solar panels on the roof. The trailer uses vacuum insulated panels for better insulation and has an aerodynamic kit.
Chereau worked with Sono Motors to manufacture an initial refrigerated trailer and test it to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of integrating the customised solar power system on a high-volume production vehicle.
This system will provide the vehicle’s refrigeration unit with an additional 9.8kW, saving up to 8,475 litres of fuel and reducing local CO2 emissions by more than 22 tonnes per year per vehicle for diesel-powered cooling units, Chereau says.
“This partnership with Sono Motors will allow us to conduct extensive tests to verify the suitability of solar energy in temperature-controlled transport. The solar integration solutions provided by Sono Motors are perfectly suited to our semi-trailers. This is a big step forward in making commercial mobility more sustainable and reducing emissions.” says Damien Destremau, chief executive, Chereau.
Laurin Hahn, co-founder and chief executive of Sono Motors. said: This partnership is a huge step for Sono Motors, since we open up a completely new industry for our highly flexible and proprietary Sono Solar technology. We offer a lightweight and adaptable platform that is ideal for refrigerated trailers and allows customers in the transportation industry to cut costs and emissions throughout their fleet.
“We are very pleased for the opportunity to collaborate with such a respected industry partner like Chereau and to be able to work with them towards creating a more sustainable future,”
Destremau, said.
“The solar integration solutions provided by Sono Motors are the perfect fit for our trailers. We are pleased to be able to work with Sono Motors to create the future prototype that will be part of our demo fleet of sustainable reefer trailers. This is a big step towards making commercial mobility more sustainable and reducing emissions.”
The solar trailer will be shown at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover. That will be followed by intensive tests for several months in a field trial by a Chereau customer in France. Part of the testing process is validating the numbers for energy earnings and fuel savings that are based on internal calculations, including weather and system efficiency assumptions.
Sono says the market for refrigerated trailers is expected to grow strongly due to the rising demand for medicine, deep frozen goods and fast food. In addition, fuel costs are rising and price pressure is intensifying
