Schmitz Cargobull takes innovation prize for electric cooling unit, generator axle

Europe’s largest trailer manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull has won the "Trailer Innovation" award in the Environment category for the S.KO box body semi-trailer featuring the electronically controlled generator axle and the company’s own electric cooling unit including integrated power electronics and battery system.

“With this environmentally friendly alternative drive system, Schmitz Cargobull makes an important contribution to CO2 reduction and takes responsibility for optimized ecological transport and logistics concepts,” says Roland Klement, board member for Research & Development at Schmitz Cargobull. “We see this award as confirmation of our forward-looking technology and many years of industry expertise.”

With the vehicle, Schmitz Cargobull has developed an equipment concept that will make a significant contribution to reducing pollutant emissions, the company asserts. The purely electrically powered S.CUe cooling unit with integrated power electronics omits a combustion engine, and is designed to cool and heat without generating any emissions.

Instead of a diesel tank, batteries are now installed on the landing gear. In addition, the system is equipped with an electrified Schmitz Cargobull trailer axle, which recuperates energy during braking, for example, reducing the time required to recharge the battery via mains power.

The jury for the prestigious industry awards was made up of journalists from 16 specialist transport publications in Europe. The “Trailer Innovation” platform covers interesting new developments in the field of trailers and bodies and has been awarding prizes every two years since 2002. The awards honor trailer manufacturers in a total of seven categories.