Leeds, UK: Asda has taken delivery of some 170 new refrigerated trailers, all with Carrier Transicold’s Vector HE 19 multi-temperature fridges.
The order follows a 12-month trial with two units. Asda cites the system’s environmental credentials, fuel savings and alternative power options for the decision.
A long-standing Carrier Transicold customer, the latest delivery means every new 13.6m trailer entering service for Asda is fitted with a Vector HE 19 MT unit. The electrical architecture of the unit was a significant factor in Asda’s decision to switch to the Vector.
When operating on mains power, competitor units suffer a loss of up to 40% kilowatt cooling power because of the need to convert the electrical energy back into mechanical drive to power the refrigeration circuit. To fully utilise the unit’s power and versatility, Asda specified three different trailer types, comprised of 128 dual-compartment Schmitz Cargobull builds, alongside 30 full-width triple-compartment and 11 triple-lane designs from Gray & Adams, each capable of maintaining three separate temperature set points.
“When we took the two trial Vector HE 19 units in 2019, we wanted to see whether they would truly deliver on the promised step-up in performance,” said Peter Hey, procurement manager – national fleets, Asda.
“They didn’t disappoint. The new Vector provides the reliability and powerful performance we’ve come to expect from Carrier, coupled with quieter operation, significant fuel savings and lower operating costs. The system is also very impressive when running on electrical supply, which is a major plus point as we continue towards our fleet sustainability goals as a business.”
The Vector HE 19 has a multi-speed engine design, helping deliver up to 30% lower fuel consumption compared to its predecessor, the Vector 1950. At the same time, the oil drain interval for the unit’s engine is doubled compared to the legacy unit. The system is also 19% more efficient when plugged into the electrical grid on standby, providing reductions in diesel, maintenance and electricity use. It is also compatible with engineless technology.
The Vector units are covered by Carrier Transicold’s BlueEdge maintenance package, which includes annual temperature control testing and certification, regulatory checks and access to incident management service.
“Carrier’s track record with developing forward-thinking, environmentally-focused solutions is why we have continued to specify their equipment, meaning we are future-proofing our trailer fleet with the new Vector HE 19,” Hey said.
