Two new Carrier Transicold engineless refrigeration systems are being tested out by Kuehne + Nagel in an attempt to make their commercial fleet more compliant. These changes are being tried out by the company because of changes to the compliance requirements from urban emissions initiatives. Kuehne + Nagel are updating their fleet to make it more energy efficient to make sure that the company will be able to operate in the first ultra-low emission zone in London when it comes into operation. Testing out the new refrigeration systems will also allow the company to work in the new Clean Air Zones that will be located around the country.

The Carrier Transicold systems will be installed on the Kuehne + Nagel vehicles that are operating as part of a contract with Whitbread. The new cold storage systems are multi-temperature have been fitted onto an 18-tonne low -entry Mercedes-Benz Econic as well as a 26-tonne DAF CF. These cold storage units have been chosen for the trial because they can run on hydroelectric power which is generated by their truck’s ultra-clean Euro VI engines. By running the systems this way the company can experience how the refrigeration systems can run without the need for separate engine. By operating the Carrier Transicold units in this way, there is an immediate reduction in the amount of emissions used to power tem and improves the fuel efficiency of the service that is provided by Kuehne + Nagel.

Both of the cold storage units being used for the trial are specified with the R452A certification. This level of specification means that the units have the same cooling capabilities, fuel efficiency and reliability as the R404A specification but also boast a reduction to the Global Warming Potential of the units by 45%. These steps have been put in place in order to meet the new emissions and air quality regulation, however it is thought that these regulations are only going to get more strict as time goes on.