Gist has begun trialling the fuel-efficient, hydraulic-driven Ecogen generators – supplied by manufacturer Hultsteins – in its fleet to improve air quality by reducing fuel consumption as well as CO2 and Nox.
The trial is set to take place over three months at Gist’s site in Spalding and represents a significant step forward in driving Gist’s environmental agenda.
The hydraulic generators are an environmentally-friendly solution that allows an existing diesel powered unit to achieve the same environmental classification as the vehicle by converting the unit to electric power, eliminating the need for diesel. This reduces the vehicle’s total fuel consumption, and lowers carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particle emissions.
Mick Pethard, Head of Engineering, Gist, said: “The hybrid-drive system harnesses kinetic energy from the truck and recycles it into electrical energy for the transport refrigeration unit. By taking power via the rear of the engine into this equipment, which converts this into electricity to power the fridge on electric rather than red diesel – which means no CO2 being created by the fridge.”
The Ecogen plugs into any vehicle refrigeration unit with mains electric operation. This will power traditional diesel-powered refrigeration units, with electric generated from the truck engine at full capacity whether travelling through towns and cities or cross country. This will reduce the fuel consumed to cool the load, and lower the emissions produced by the refrigeration, to the same standard as the truck or tractor.
About Hultsteins
Hultsteins is a family-owned company rooted in Sweden, that launched the first fossil-free hydraulic refrigeration unit in 1962.
The company aims to offer optimal refrigerated transport technology that meets the most demanding customer requirements and to guarantee the same high standard of service and assistance.
Today, Hultsteins manufactures hydraulic and electric refrigeration systems, in the UK and Sweden and all products are designed for external mounting on the vehicle to save cargo space.
Hultsteins has been in the UK market since 2018, acquiring British company Cold Connect in 2019.
About Gist
Gist is a logistics specialist that combines leading-edge experience and expertise to transform supply chains. With specific understanding, know-how and excellence in the food logistics industry, Gist’s solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
Gist’s 5,000 employees operate from the UK, Continental Europe and the USA, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business for the food manufacture and hospitality sectors.
Gist’s customers (including Starbucks, Marks and Spencer, 2 Sisters Food Group, Tesco and Morrisons) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery and food service.
