ECS Tests Thermo King E-COOLPAC Battery Genset for their Refrigerated Marine Containers

ECS is the first customer to experience benefits of the Thermo King E-COOLPAC electric battery genset offering diesel-free power source for refrigerated containers.

ECS, a leading European logistics supplier of intermodal transport and integrated supply chain services, took delivery of the new E-COOLPAC electric battery genset from Thermo King®, a leader in transport temperature control solutions and a brand of Trane Technologies. Mounted on a container chassis and powering the Thermo King Magnum Plus refrigerated container, the battery genset are tested by ECS on routes between Belgium and the Netherlands.

The project reflects ECS’ focus to improve the environmental sustainability of their operations and adapt technologies that offer sources of clean power for their refrigerated fleet. The project follows the successful installation of Thermo King ThermoLite™ solar panels in ECS’ trailers, which annually saves the company approximately 1,000 litres of fuel per trailer.

“With over two decades of strong relationship with Thermo King. We see them as a partner, who supports and advises us in our quest to lower the environmental impact of our business,” said Luc Schouteere, coordinator TCL ECS’. “We have been carefully monitoring the technology and innovation from Thermo King, and how it could help us in improving our operations and achieving strategic sustainability goals. We recently invested in connecting over 1000 reefer containers with Thermo King’s TracKing™ telematics system to benefit from the complete visibility of our fleets. When Thermo King advised us to use the new diesel-free battery gensets to power our refrigerated containers, we immediately decided to try it out.”

“At Thermo King we are committed to deliver dependable, innovative technology designed to meet our customers’ demands of both today and tomorrow,” said Alain van Schaik strategic accounts manager at Thermo King. ”The new E-COOLPAC battery gensets represent our ongoing efforts to offer fully electrified solutions in every segment of the cold chain. We remain committed to working closely with ECS and other customers, delivering innovation and advice as they transition their fleets to meet sustainability goals and stay ahead of future regulations.”

Thermo King E-COOLPAC battery solutions are designed, tested and manufactured by AKSA (AKSA Würenlos AG), a Swiss developer and manufacturer of energy systems Thermo King has partnered with. This battery genset solution enables daily or port-to-distribution centre transport of refrigerated containers with zero direct emissions. Being completely diesel-free it enables the transport companies to enter ultra-low and zero emission zones, as well as low-noise urban areas. The E-COOLPAC is smaller and lower weight than any genset on the market and can fit on any container chassis compatible with diesel gensets.

Providing electric solutions for refrigerated transportation is part of Thermo King’s and Trane Technologies’ overall approach to reducing carbon emissions. It aligns with the company’s bold 2030 Sustainability Commitments, including the Gigaton Challenge to reduce customer greenhouse gas emissions by 1 billion metric tons.