Truck Trailer Shore Power

ESL and Elonroad Partner to Develop Charging Solutions for ETRU Market

Erika Thorson

Corona, CA and Lund, Sweden — May 2024 — ESL and Elonroad are pleased to announce their partnership aimed at developing innovative automatic charging solutions for essential businesses and supply chains. The collaboration will focus on leveraging Elonroad’s automatic charging technology and ESL’s expertise in power system solutions to electrify the future of transportation sustainably.

The partnership signifies a strategic move by both companies to address the growing need for efficient and climate-friendly charging solutions, particularly within the Electric Transport Refrigeration Unit (ETRU) market, including refrigerated trucks, trailers, and warehouses. This collaboration also marks Elonroad’s introduction to the U.S. market, introducing the availability of cutting-edge automatic charging solutions.

The joint venture will kickstart with a pilot program, set to commence in mid-2024 and conclude by Q1 2025. This U.S. market initiative aligns with the shared vision of both parties to revolutionize the transportation sector and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Carlos Valero, Chief Operating Officer of ESL, highlighted the synergies between the two companies, stating, ” Elonroad’s unique automatic charging solutions significantly decrease CO2 impact and lowers the total cost of ownership, offering the flexibility to charge electric vehicles whether on the move or parked. This innovation aligns with ESL’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions that drive environmental benefits while meeting the evolving needs of the transportation industry. Together, we aim to redefine the future of our markets.”

Karin Ebbinghaus, CEO of Elonroad, expressed her thoughts on the partnership, saying, “We recognize ESL as an industry leader, and partnering with them in the U.S. market is a key strategic move for Elonroad. Through this collaboration, we are thrilled to forge a path toward a positive future where sustainable practices and safety for all involved are paramount. This partnership not only underscores our commitment to climate-consciousness but also signifies a significant step towards redefining industry standards. We look forward to the innovative solutions and positive impact our combined efforts will bring to the transportation sector and beyond.”

Elonroad specializes in charging solutions for electric vehicles, catering to various segments such as commercial, private, light, and heavy vehicles, both autonomous and human-operated. Working with, amongst others, one of the leaders within circular services, in addition also building the first electric highway together with VINCI outside Paris, France. Meanwhile, ESL is renowned for its advanced power system solutions in the electric vehicle charging industry and renewable energy applications.

The partnership between ESL and Elonroad marks a significant step towards sustainable transportation and underscores their commitment to innovation and environmental stewardship.

About ESL

ESL is a leader in developing, manufacturing, and integrating advanced power system solutions for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry and renewable energy applications. With a robust portfolio that includes everything from high-efficiency charging stations to innovative power management systems, ESL is at the forefront of supporting sustainable transportation.

About Elonroad

Elonroad, a Swedish cleantech company, aims to streamline energy flow using their innovative technology for Electric Roads (ERS) and automated charging stations, targeting industries like logistics and ports. Their technology, which integrates conductive charging into road surfaces, enables vehicles to charge while moving or parked. Enhanced with IoT sensors, the system optimizes charging, improves safety, and operates efficiently 24/7 while also reducing CO2 emissions. Elonroad collaborates with major partners like logistics company Elis and global supplier of automotive components Aisin and is currently working on the first electric highway on the A10 highway outside Paris, France. Elonroad’s charging solutions support all types of electric vehicles—commercial or private, light or heavy, autonomous or manual—further expanding their reach and impact in the shift towards sustainable transportation.

Learn more about the conductive charging pilot program!

For media inquiries, please contact:

Erika Thorson, Marketing Manager, ESL

ethorson@eslpwr.com

+1 (951) 739-7000

Karin Ebbinghaus, CEO, Elonroad

Karin@elonroad.com

+ 46 70 339 55 42

California Transport Refrigeration Unit Regulations in Development

Erika Thorson

Pending TRU California Regulation

Pending TRU regulations will require that diesel engines be phased out over the next six years in an effort to help improve the environmental impact of the trucking industry. Facility and fleet operators should consider options to reduce emissions at their facilities.

Truck Refrigeration Units, commonly referred to as TRUs, are refrigeration systems that are typically powered by internal combustion engines. TRUs control the environment of temperature-sensitive products that are transported in refrigerated trucks, trailers, railcars and shipping containers. TRUs are used to transport and store many products such as food, pharmaceuticals, plants, medicines, and chemicals.

Some companies use TRUs for extended cold storage. Distribution centers and grocery stores may run out of cold storage space in their buildings and then opt to store overflow goods in TRU-equipped trucks and trailers outside their buildings. Distribution centers, truck stops and other cold storage facilities also attract large volumes of TRUs that contribute to higher localized health risks. New regulations are developing concepts to reduce emissions from facilities with TRU activity by transitioning to zero-emission operation where practical.

According to SCE.com, Southern California Edison is aiding in these pending regulations by offering a program designed to help qualifying SCE commercial customers install the charging/powering infrastructure needed to electrify medium- and heavy-duty fleets. SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Program is providing a funding initiative for installation of infrastructure to SCE commercial customers. Through this program, SCE’s goal is to advance the vision for a clean energy future while providing medium- and heavy-duty fleet owners the opportunity to save money. The program is offering opportunities such as, no-cost installation of electric infrastructure or giving businesses the option to install, own, operate and maintain the infrastructure on site for a rebate at 80% of cost. SCE is also offering special incentives such as commercial rate options that make EV charging and TRU shore power more affordable during certain times of the day.

In addition to SCE’s infrastructure programs, CARBs Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) offers a streamlined voucher process for buyers to receive funding to offset the adoption costs of clean, commercial ready zero-emission equipment including transport refrigeration units, cargo-handling equipment, and more. CARB also offers eligibility opportunities to offset electricity costs through the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program which is designed to encourage the use of cleaner low-carbon fuels in California, encourage the production of those fuels, and therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Charge Ready Transport, LCFS and CORE are some of the many incentives available in California that provide opportunities to reduce your organization’s carbon footprint and improve the air quality of your community all while cutting operation and maintenance costs to your fleet.

Get ahead of the competition; learn more about SCE’s Charge Ready Transport and reducing greenhouse gas emissions here: https://www.sce.com/business/electric-cars/charge-ready-transport.

If you’re interested in learning how ESL can help provide safe utility power to electric or hybrid TRUs check out our eTRUconnect:  https://eslpwr.com/etruconnect/

ESL Launches eTRUconnect V2 with a Commitment to Continuous Improvement

ESL Launches eTRUconnect V2 with a Commitment to Continuous Improvement

Erika Thorson

CORONA, California, November 2, 2021 – ESL is pleased to announce the release of the eTRUconnect® V2 PS series now with a smaller footprint, easier access and simplified operation.

ESL’s UL Listed eTRUconnect® V2 PS Series provides safe utility shore power to electric or hybrid refrigerated units on truck trailers. Connecting electric or hybrid refrigerated units to shore power eliminates the need of running onboard diesel generators/engines to keep the cargo within the optimal temperature range thus eliminating emissions while loading/unloading or idle. This system results in significant savings attributed to much lower electric energy cost. eTRUconnect’s, safe and simple connection and disconnection procedure allows truck operators to use the system while minimizing the risk of injury and the liability to the facility owner.

eTRUconnect V2

In an effort to continuously improve ESL’s eTRUconnect, the V2 has been redesigned to fit into tight spaces between dock doors. For staging yard installations, the eTRUconnect V2 can easily be mounted on a pole or rack with the optional mounting kit.

Powering on the eTRUconnect is now simplified with the new V2 “actuation” handle. Just like with the original eTRUconnect, ESL’s solution cannot be energized until the 4-pin female plug and the truck-trailer inlet are completely mated.

A new optional LED beacon light and the option to integrate with dock door signaling or wheel restraining systems have also been upgraded additions to the eTRUconnect V2.

Like the original eTRUconnect design, the V2 relies on a safety-circuit loop to ensure safe connection and energization. Our innovative design does not require 2 extra pilot pins at the connector. A connection detection device is embedded in the safety-interlocked IEC female plug installed at the end of the cable.

All original safety features are included in the V2 including unintended drive-off and electrical branch circuit protection. In the case of a drive-away, the eTRUconnect V2 PS Series has connections within the enclosure that easily pull apart, shutting power off within milliseconds, minimizing equipment damage and eliminating the risk of injury. For electrical protection, ESL’s eTRUconnect V2 contains a 3-pole molded case circuit breaker (available at multiple AIC ratings) that protects against overloads and short circuits. In addition, the eTRUconnect V2 now offers ease of access through the front of the enclosure with a simplified turn key system.

Utilizing the eTRUconnect® V2 provides substantial improvement in efficiencies and meets all SmartWay™ requirements, helping to improve the environmental impact of the trucking industry. For additional information and downloadable specification sheets visit etruconnect.com.

eTRUconnect for TRU's

Additional ESL eTRUconnect® Models Approved for the Charge Ready Transport Program

Erika Thorson

After being the first manufacturer of eTRU docking stations to be approved by Southern California Edison for its Charge Ready program, SCE has approved 5 additional ESL eTRUconnect models for inclusion in its landmark campaign.  The new models address an industry need to power 240V units, standard ISO Refrigerated Containers, and to daisy-chain up to 4 units from the same electrical circuit.

In addition to providing EV charging infrastructure, SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Program also provides funding initiatives for installation of eTRU infrastructure to its commercial customers. Through this program, SCE’s goal is to advance the vision for a clean energy future while providing medium- and heavy-duty fleet owners the opportunity to save money. The program is offering opportunities such as, no-cost installation of electric infrastructure or giving businesses the option to install, own, operate and maintain the infrastructure on site for a rebate up to 80% of cost. SCE is also offering special incentives such as commercial rate options that make EV charging and TRU shore power more affordable during certain times of the day. Connecting electric or hybrid refrigerated units to ESL’s eTRUconnect truck-trailer shore power eliminates the need of running on board diesel generators/engines to keep the cargo within the optimal temperature range. This results in significant savings attributed to much lower energy and maintenance cost.

“Being the first eTRU standby connection solution on SCE’s Charge Ready Transport Approved Product List (APL) is a great honor for ESL. With the additional products available to SCE’s customers we are now confident we will be able to address the various requirements in this space,” commented Carlos Valero, Director of Commercial Operations. “Even though there is no mandated standard for eTRU connections, the vast majority of the industry has adopted the standard IEC pin and sleeve connectors for hybrid refrigerated trailers.  We believe that having a pin and sleeve solution that is non-proprietary provides customers the added benefit of utilizing the inlet that comes already installed with most OEM equipment – making the transition to electrify fleets more economical. The additional offerings will support multiple stakeholders in their efforts to electrifying on site infrastructure. Improving the environmental impact of the trucking industry is paramount to ESL and we are dedicated to listening to our customers who are the source of all our innovation efforts.”

A TRU Hybrid Future

Transport Refrigeration Units, commonly referred to as TRUs, are refrigeration systems that are typically powered by internal combustion engines. TRUs control the environment of temperature-sensitive products that are transported in refrigerated trucks, trailers, railcars and shipping containers. TRUs are used to transport and store many products such as food, pharmaceuticals, plants, medicines, and chemicals.

Some companies use TRUs for extended cold storage. Distribution centers and grocery stores may run out of cold storage space in their buildings and then opt to store overflow goods in TRU-equipped trucks and trailers outside their buildings. Distribution centers, truck stops and other cold storage facilities also attract large volumes of TRUs that contribute to higher localized health risks. New regulations are developing concepts to reduce emissions from facilities with TRU activity by transitioning to zero-emission operation where practical.

In addition to SCE’s infrastructure programs, CARBs Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) features a streamlined voucher process for buyers to receive funding to offset the adoption costs of clean, commercial ready zero-emission equipment including transport refrigeration units, cargo-handling equipment, and more. CARB is also offering eligibility opportunities to offset electricity costs through the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) Program which is designed to encourage the use of cleaner low-carbon fuels in California, encourage the production of those fuels, and therefore, reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Charge Ready Transport, LCFS and CORE are some of the many incentives available in California that provide opportunities to reduce your organization’s carbon footprint and improve the air quality of your community all while cutting operation and maintenance costs to your fleet.

Get ahead of the competition; learn more about SCE’s Charge Ready Transport and reducing greenhouse gas emissions here: https://crt.sce.com/overview

If you’re interested in learning how ESL can help provide safe utility power to electric or hybrid TRUs check out our eTRUconnect:  https://eslpwr.com/etruconnect/

ESL’s eTRUconnect Refrigerated Truck-trailer Shore Power

Erika Thorson

ESL’s UL Listed patent pending eTRUconnect™ PS Series provides safe utility shore power to electric or hybrid refrigerated units on truck trailers, eliminating emissions while loading/unloading or idle. Connecting electric or hybrid refrigerated units to shore power eliminates the need of running onboard diesel generators/engines to keep the cargo within the optimal temperature range. This results in significant savings attributed to much lower electric energy cost. eTRUconnect’s, safe and simple connection and disconnection procedure allows truck operators to use the system while minimizing the risk of injury and the liability to the facility owner. ESL’s eTRUconnect is the ideal solution for distribution centers, warehouses, grocery stores and truck stops. Watch our video to learn more!