Carrier Transicold’s ECO-DRIVE technology, Carmarthenshire-based food wholesaler Castell Howell can now drive its Carrier Transicold Vector trailer systems via the trucks’ own engines. The move is designed to help reduce running costs and increase fleet sustainability.
A Carrier Transicold customer for 30 years, Castell Howell added two new ECO-DRIVE-equipped Volvo FH tractors, as well as the first of two new 13.6-metre Gray & Adams double deck trailers mounted with Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 refrigeration units, to its fleet.
“Experiencing the reliability and performance of Carrier Transicold’s technology first-hand over the years gave us the confidence to continue our sustainability journey with them,” said Martin Jones, Transport Director, Castell Howell. “As a business, we’re always looking to stay at the forefront of the technology curve and adding the ECO-DRIVE to these tractor units was an exciting next step for our operation. They will interface perfectly with our existing Carrier fridge units, giving us genuine hybrid flexibility across our trailer fleet.
Compatible with the electric architecture of its existing Carrier Transicold VectorHE 19 and 1950 MT trailer units, the technology delivers improved sustainability through reduced emissions and lower fuel requirements, key features that are becoming increasingly important with rising fuel costs.
The innovative ECO-DRIVE power module uses a hydraulic pump connected to the truck engine’s power take-off, which drives a generator that delivers the electrical power required to run any of Castell Howell’s Vector units. The power is delivered independent of the truck’s engine speed, ensuring 100% refrigeration capacity even when the vehicle is idling.
“Castell Howell has been an early adopter for many of our new technologies,” said Tony Biggs, Key Account Manager, Carrier Transicold. “They were one of the first to specify the Vector HE 19 and have seen the performance benefits of the ECO-DRIVE on the engineless Iceland units they run in their rigid truck fleet.”
