KEENE, NH - Recently, C&S Wholesale Grocers teamed up with Wabash National to showcase an innovative, zero-emissions, 48-foot refrigerated trailer. The new trailer will feature Wabash’s molded structural composite (MSC) technology.

“We’ve seen a lot of prototype and concept electric vehicles and trailers over the years, but no one has yet to demonstrate real viability of a roadworthy, zero-emissions tractor-trailer for refrigerated hauls due to the location and size of batteries,” said Robert Lane, Wabash National’s Vice President of Product Innovations. “This is the first time a major box innovation has been coupled with a major transport refrigeration unit (TRU) innovation that results in breakthrough customer value in a sustainable format. MSC provides a unique platform for electric-powered TRUs. The large gain in thermal efficiencies allows a customer to either downsize the batteries required to haul cargo or increase the run time on a battery setup.”

According to Trailer/Body Builders, Wabash states its MSC reefer sets new standards in efficiency with optimized thermal performance, maximized payload capacity, corrosion resistance, and the industry’s highest standard floor rating. The MSC reefer was designed and constructed with advanced MSC technology and is up to 30 percent more thermally efficient than a conventional refrigerated trailer, reducing fleets’ operating costs by running fewer hours, using less fuel, and lasting longer.

“When we look at the tractor-trailer combination, the ‘box’ had not evolved prior to the MSC reefer. End consumers are influencing commercial transportation, and the next step for our progress in the industry means turning to advanced materials. We chose to work with Wabash National because they don’t settle. They are challenging us at C&S Grocers to do something different,” stated Chris Trajkovski, Vice President of Fleet Maintenance and DOT Safety Compliance at C&S Wholesale Grocers. “We’re putting units into our fleet that depend heavily on solar and battery power for the truck and TRU. We expect the TRU to work less with Wabash National’s composite design.”

The news site wrote Trajkovski expects the MSC unit’s added cube space, higher UA rating, and ability to maintain consistent temperature for a longer period of time will be a winning combination for C&S when coupled with its focus on electric vehicles and TRUs.

“Wabash National is the gamechanger we are looking for,” he said. “If we don’t take this opportunity, then we will never know what we could have achieved.”

Will we see more zero-emissions refrigerated trailers take the road? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring more transportation, retail, and fresh produce news.

C&S Wholesale Grocers