Johannesburg, South Africa: DP World has provided food and clothing retailer Woolworths with a Thermo King axle power refrigerated trailer. Thermo King developed the ssyem in conjunction with BPW and it is sold in Europe and used by many fleets. AxlePower “transforms ordinary road transport trailers into a source of clean and efficient electricity”, says DP World.
Kinetic energy recovered from a trailer axle is converted into electricity, powering the refrigeration unit that receives constant current from a battery energy holding pack, whether the trailer is in motion or stationery. The battery energy is continuously replenished by the AxlePower technology when the trailer is in motion, with the refrigeration unit’s energy battery pack storing the charge generated by the system.
“This innovative technology offers tractor-independent, 100% electric cooling for trailers, using free and sustainable power that results in zero trailer carbon emissions,” DP World said.
“As part of our commitment to sustainability, we are excited to introduce AxlePower technology to our fleet,” said Feroz Koor, head of sustainability, Woolworths.
“Following the rollout of our electric online delivery vehicles last year, this initiative aligns with our Vision2025+ goal to have net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, and our ambition to create a more sustainable and efficient supply chain while reducing our carbon footprint.”
The AxlePower trailer will operate on Woolworths’ long-haul N1 route, operated by DP World, between Johannesburg and Cape Town saving 27-tonnes of carbon a year.
