When a fleet is considering an alt-fuel, the environmental benefits might be top of mind, but likely costs are, too. When thinking through the options, the current cost of the fuel itself is essential, but it’s also just one piece of the puzzle. Consider the bigger picture: purchase price, maintenance costs, tax incentives, and infrastructure should also be factored into costs.
A prototype for a commercial, hybrid-conversion kit for military tactical vehicles has been designed to reduce fuel consumption, improve performance and decrease logistics demand.
Solar panels have become prevalent on reefer trailers in recent years to provide auxiliary power for “parasitic loads” like telematics and liftgates and to reduce diesel fuel consumption. But now, a Rhode Island company called eNow Inc. is bringing a solely solar-powered reefer to the market.
With the addition of its fourth OEM platform system compatible with electrified systems and hybrids, the company now provides electric solutions for the Ford F-series, Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, and now Ram trucks, four of the U.S.’s top-selling pickup brands.
Approximately 50,000 new diesel-powered refrigerated trailers are sold annually in the U.S., and XL Fleet’s partnership with eNow accelerates a sustainable all-electric solution.
This market opportunity to help electrify the waste and recycling industry is significant as fleets look to meet ambitious sustainability goals.
Individual partners within the ARBOC North American dealer network are now authorized to sell the XL Fleet electrification system as an available option on their buses, providing a new commercial channel for the Company as it expands into a broader range of medium-duty applications.
XL Fleet noted 50,000 diesel-powered refrigeration units are sold on new trailers annually in the United States, and the companies are collaborating on the design and development of the system that will power eTRUs, as a replacement for conventional diesel-powered systems.
XL Fleet has currently logged over 150 million customer miles driven on their hybrid and plug-in hybrid systems, establishing a strong foot-hold in the industry. Those 4,000-plus vehicles help drive adoption of more fully electrified vehicles.
Whether fleet operators are motivated by the financial bottom line, anticipated emission mandates or public opinion, industry analysts suggest that mass adoption by commercial fleets is on the near horizon.