Demonstrator hints at future of refrigerated transport 19 July 2013

Refrigerated vehicle rental firm Petit Forestier has teamed with Carrier Transicold and Iveco to build what is being described as a next-generation urban distribution vehicle for the temperature-controlled market.

The 7-tonne gvw demonstrator – being made available for trials over the next 12 months by Petit Forestier – is built on an Iveco Daily 70C17 chassis.

It is mounted with a Lecapitaine multi-compartment body and a Carrier Transicold Pulsor 600 MT (multi-temperature) refrigeration unit, with E-Drive electric technology.

The fully-laden Daily chassis can transport a load equivalent to three regular 3.5-tonne vehicles combined, allowing fleets to reduce fuel costs and emissions, by potentially operating two fewer vehicles.

"The aim of the project has been to develop a concept vehicle using the most innovative transport refrigeration technology, coupled with sleek bodywork and a robust, lightweight, 7-tonne chassis," explains Martin Farrand, director of engineering with Petit Forestier.

"We're already receiving significant interest from fleets that need to deliver large loads of perishable or frozen produce in built-up environments," he continues.

"The key items on many fleet managers' shopping lists are payload capacity, cooling capacity, fuel efficiency and temperature integrity. This demonstrator allows us to offer all that."

Looking at the refrigeration, for example, the Pulsor 600 MT unit uses Carrier's E-Drive technology, which removes the mechanical transmissions found in traditional belt-driven systems.

Additionally, its generator/inverter combination regulates power, according to refrigeration requirements, via a hermetically sealed compressor. Carrier Transicold says that means the unit maintains a high and continuous capacity even at low engine speeds – making it ideal for multi-drop work in congested urban environments.

Author
John Challen

Related Companies
Carrier Transicold (UK) Ltd
Iveco
Petit Forestier UK

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