Vreden, Germany: Schmitz Cargobull is developing what it calls its ‘energy-axle’ to power refrigerated trailers.
Schmitz, which makes the Rotos axle now fitted to 85% of its trailers, is using the kinetic energy generated during braking to charge batteries that power the fridge.
At the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicles Show, Schmitz Cargobull unveiled its electric fridge. The maximum cooling power of this system is 16kW at 30°C ambient and 0°C setpoint temperature, the heating power is little more than 9 kW.
The batteries feeding the system are located in the landing legs of the trailer. Their power is roughly 65kWh at maximum.
Schmitz plans to field test the system with customers starting later this year with serial production to follow at least a year after that in 2021.
