Porto, Portugal: Hultsteins, has joined with a vehicle battery pack manufacturer Addvolt to provide sales and support services in the UK and Ireland. Addvolt makes powerpacks and power units for fridge operators.
The company created the world’s first plug-in hybrid powerpack capable of electrifying auxiliary systems on heavy-duty vehicles, and supplies products to 20 markets across 3 continents.
More recently Addvolt introduced its own power unit which supplies 400V AC fridge units of all brands directly from battery electric vehicle’s traction batteries. “With Addvolt celebrating 10 years of innovation, we are now looking to expand our operations in the UK and with Hultsteins’ long experience in the production of sustainable solutions to the temperature-controlled sector, they make the ideal partner with whom to continue our journey,” Sean Griffiths, sales manager, Addvolt, says.
By combining an Addvolt powerpack with a Hultsteins’ onboard power generator, Ecogen2, cold chain transporters can get 100% electrically-powered refrigeration for urban and long-distance deliveries. This combination not only eliminates the fuel costs and pollution associated with diesel-powered refrigeration but also ensures quiet, low maintenance and ULEZ-compatible deliveries, Hultsteins says.
Fitted to the power take off of the tractor, Ecogen2 converts any make of diesel fridge into electric operation at a fraction of the cost of buying a new electric fridge, Hultsteins says.
“This is truly a significant step forward in the advancement of green energy for the temperature-controlled transport sector,” says Graham Usher, UK managing director, Hultsteins.
“Hultsteins sustainable systems are already used across Europe and the UK and the addition of a reliable back-up power source to ensure continuous electrical supply to the fridge system makes for an unbeatable solution in terms of cost and carbon savings.”
Addvolt’s Piek-compliant plug-in hybrid powerpack can be charged at any warehouse and with the addition of a generator, offers hybrid recharging capabilities while the vehicle is in motion.
“Addvolt powerpacks are a super quality product that transform dirty diesel engines into electric fridges. I am chuffed with our new partnership as it offers operators of existing dirty diesel refrigeration the opportunity to convert fridge units into full electric operation whilst utilising their existing trucks,” Usher says.
Pictured above are Graham Usher, managing director, UK and Ireland (left) with Sean Griffiths, sales manager, Addvolt