Southampton, UK: Ferytrans, a temperature-controlled transport provider and owner of BigFoot Logistics, is reducing emissions and fuel consumption from its fridge units by using Ecogen CostSaver in its fleet.
Manufacturer Hultsteins says the bolt-on hybrid system Ecogen CostSaver will reduce CO2 by around 75 to 90% depending on operation – whilst eliminating harmful diesel emissions such as DPM by 98% and NOx by 400%.
Ferytrans owner Feri Lazar, said: “Cutting emissions was our primary concern but the return on investment is also very attractive. Our calculations show that we would recoup the costs within 18 months, so it is really a win-win for us. In addition. the new fridges are much quieter so it helps minimise noise around deliveries, particularly in residential areas. I actually live near a Lidl and can really tell the difference. We have fitted two units already to existing Scania tractors, one for BigFoot Logistics and one for Ferytrans – with a number more to be fitted in April to a batch of Scania CNG tractor units .
The two companies operate 40 Scania tractor units and 65 dual-temperature trailers. The Ecogen installation followed recommendation by fridge unit service provider AMW Transport Refrigeration.
Ecogen CostSaver is a bolt-on device which couples to the tractor power take-off and generates electricity to run the trailer fridge unit during transit. It can be retrofitted to any tractor unit with a PTO.
According to Hultsteins, even the most efficient diesel-powered refrigeration unit uses between 1.7 and 2.8 litres an hour, whereas older multi-temperature trailer fridges can burn up to 4.5 litres per hour. The CostSaver is designed to last 10 to 12 years and can be moved from one truck to the next when the vehicle is renewed.
“We own our trailers, but we hire our tractors to ensure that we always have the most modern and efficient fleet. The oldest tractor in our fleet is only two-and-a-half years old and will be replaced with 73 plates very shortly,” Lazar, said.
“The beauty of the Ecogen CostSaver system for us is that it is very easy to transfer it from one tractor to the next, so it continues to reduce emissions for us as we continue to rejuvenate our fleet.”
