New Zealand’s first fully electric semi-trailer was launched on Wednesday evening ahead of a local evaluation programme.

The Schmitz Cargobull S.KOe COOL three-axle semi-trailer debuted at the Fruehauf Expo event held in Auckland’s Viaduct.

Providing a zero emissions alternative to a diesel-powered refrigeration system, the trailer is equipped with an electric refrigeration unit, high-voltage battery system, an e-axle generator and integrated power electronics.

The battery is charged while the vehicle is moving by energy recuperated from the e-axle generator integrated into the second axle of the trailer. The 13.5-metre semi-trailer can carry 33 Euro pallets or 26 ISO pallets.

The trial by Fruehauf NZ is a technology demonstration co-funded by the EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) Low Emission Transport Fund.

Fruehauf NZ Managing Director Jeff Mear says the trailer will initially be tested in-house before allowing multiple customers to trial the unit themselves. He invited customers to register with Fruehauf for an opportunity to trial the trailer.

“It’s not a gamechanger, but it’s another step in technology to advance our decarbonisation goals,” Mear said. 

Among the benefits of the technology, Schmitz Cargobull says the weight of the battery and e-axle are offset by the elimination of a diesel generator and fuel tank. The hybrid refrigerated trailer is also fully self-contained and can be towed any tractor unit.

Electrification also makes the trailer extremely quiet, enabling early morning and late evening deliveries in urban areas. It’s been developed for operation in European cities which are planning for emission-free inner city distribution transport.

Fruehauf NZ says that once the technology has been tested in New Zealand conditions, it plans to import the e-axle generator and battery components to build electrified trailers locally.