ConMet is picking up speed with its work to provide innovative zero-emissions trailer solutions, it shared with reporters at the American Trucking Associations’ Technology & Maintenance Council meeting in Orlando March 6.

While a great deal of electrification effort is being spent on vehicle propulsion, ConMet eMobility has identified other opportunities for innovation, starting with zero emissions refrigerated trailers. TIghtening greenhouse gas and noise regulations and an increased focus on corporate social responsibility are driving cold-chain fleets to look for zero-emissions transport refrigeration unit solutions.

ConMet eMobility recapped recently announced commercial partnerships and supply agreements that will increase sales of ConMet’s PreSet Plus eHub. This electric hub repurposes energy from coasting and braking to provide auxiliary power and propulsion assist in a lightweight package.

The eHub system pairs an in-wheel electric motor with a ConMet PreSet Plus hub assembly, engineered to capture kinetic energy and convert it to electricity. The electricity is stored in a high-capacity, lightweight battery that sits beneath a trailer, providing the vehicle with auxiliary power. When shared with transport refrigeration units, this regenerative energy is capable of providing zero-emission refrigeration to a fully loaded trailer, eliminating the need for a separate diesel engine and reducing overall fuel consumption.

In January, ConMet eMobility announced a commercial partnership with Carrier Transicold, which is further expanding its electrification capabilities in North America by leveraging the eHub system. When paired with a Carrier Vector unit, the technology can deliver a zero-emission transport refrigeration solution. CARB, in California, recently announced plans to make zero-emission TRUs mandatory and other states are expected to follow.

The system has already hit the road in California. On March 1 the companies announced an agreement with Sysco to supply the foodservice distribution giant with a zero-emission refrigeration system as part of a commercial evaluation program. The delivery of this advanced system took place earlier this year at Sysco’s Riverside, California, operating site, a location at the forefront of Sysco’s fleet electrification efforts.

“We are proud to see our technology already making a positive change,” said Marc Trahand, vice president and general manager of ConMet eMobility. “Results from our first commercial evaluation program prove how powerful the eHub system is, generating enough electricity to power the TRU over an entire food service delivery route. We’re looking forward to even more positive advancements as we move into our next production run of the eHub, which is scaled for volume, ease of use, and manufacturing efficiency.”

ConMet eMobility is also working with Great Dane, the first to specify a pre-configured trailer option for the eHub system.