Range Energy and ESL Power Systems have announced a new partnership that could help lead towards the advancement of commercial adoption of electric trailers.
[Related: The future of heavy-duty trucks: Electric trailers set to revolutionize the industry]
Range, already a major player in commercial trucking electrification with its eTrailer System which turns diesel trucks into hybrid-electrics, says that adding ESL's charging solution will help to leverage existing shore power infrastructure and affordable charging hardware to support the transition of commercial trucking fleets to electrics.
The two companies are slated to shortly begin interoperability testing to ensure seamless integration and optimizing charging efficiency for electrified trailers. Additionally, the agreement calls for engaging with air quality regulators on projects to demonstrate Range's system in real-world operations, along with showcasing the environmental and operational benefits of electrified transport refrigeration unit (TRU) fleets.
[Related: Range, Thermo King partner for electric refrigerated trailers]
For it spart, ESL will provide 480V 3-phase charging hardware for installation at fleet sites. Testing will be conducted in California.
“Collaborating with ESL represents a critical step towards electric and hybrid-electric commercial fleet operations,” said Ali Javidan, CTO and founder of Range Energy. “By demonstrating the real-world feasibility of affordable alternating current (AC) charging to support electric and hybrid-electric fleet operations, we are proving that practical electrification solutions exist today.”
Since its founding over 30 years ago, ESL has provided over 300,000 electrical connection points globally in several industries aside from commercial trucking.
This isn't the first time Range has entered a trailer partnership. Last February, it inked a deal with ZF for the North American market.
[Related: Range, ZF enter electric trailer partnership]
Range's eTrailer includes a modular battery pack, the ZF e-axle, and a smart kingpin equipped with Range's patented control algorithms. Range says the trailer delivers up to $20,000 in projected savings per year and a 70% reduction in emissions using existing equipment and infrastructure.
