4th May 2022

Primary Connect has launched Australia’s first e-axle trailer to help reduce emissions and enable more sustainable supply chain operations.

The trailer has been deployed in Queensland and uses kinetic energy from its own axle and wheels to generate electricity. This electricity feeds a battery, which can run the refrigeration system and reduce the diesel consumption.

With the use of this trailer, carbon dioxide (CO2) and particulate emissions are significantly reduced through the removal of both diesel generators and 200L fuel tanks.

Ben Newton, Primary Connect’s General Manager Strategy and Partnerships, said it was a great opportunity to put the first e-axle trailer on the road in Australia.

"At Woolworths, we want to build a better tomorrow for generations to come and this is an important step in our path towards reducing emissions in our road transport operations,” Ben said.

Phillip Farrugia, Primary Connect’s National Fleet Manager, added: “The trial not only helps reduce emissions, but also runs more quietly, meaning less disruption through residential community areas.

"We’ll keep a close eye on the impact of this technology on our emissions profile and look at its potential for broader deployment across the fleet.

“We’re grateful to Carrier Transicold, SAF Holland and Maxitrans for their assistance in bringing this new and exciting technology to Australia for the first time.”

The new trailer was created in partnership with Carrier Transicold (fridge and battery solution), SAF Holland (e-axle) and MaxiTRANS (trailer manufacturer).

Stephen Elford, Carrier Transicold Australia-New Zealand’s Managing Director, said the Vector eCool represented the future of refrigerated trailer technology.

“This fully electric trailer refrigeration unit operates autonomously without the need for a diesel engine,” he said.

“It’s one of the most exciting new products we have ever brought to market and we are delighted to have partnered with Woolworths Group to deliver the first unit of its kind in Australia.”

Trailers throughout the Primary Connect fleet normally consume two litres of fuel per hour (16 litres per day), with each trailer refrigeration system being used for an average of eight hours per day. Given the minimum life of a trailer is 10 years, the new e-axle trailer would save more than 5,000 litres of fuel equating to 13.2 tonnes of CO2 over that period.

If proved successful, Primary Connect hopes to scale the new technology across its fleet of more than 800 refrigerated trailers.