Deutsche Post DHL Group, the worldwide leader in logistics and express delivery, launches TRAILAR, a new fuel conservation technology for road transport based on light-weight and durable photovoltaic modules. The TRAILAR solution for rigid vehicles will be introduced and available to third party truck owners and fleet operators at hall 13, booth G34 of the IAA Commercial Vehicles Show 2018 in Hanover from September 19 to 27.
TRAILAR uses advanced solar technology by applying thin film, flexible solar matting to the roofs of rigid vehicles, which are connected to the vehicle battery or additional on-board batteries. Harvested solar energy is used to power tail lifts and all ancillary equipment such as air conditioning.
This reduces carbon emissions and lowers fuel consumption by five percent, whilst at the same time increasing engine efficiency and longevity. It makes TRAILAR a greener, cost-efficient, urban-friendly delivery solution.
“Our TRAILAR solution is a key contributor to our GoGreen program and takes us a big step forward towards our goal of becoming the zero-emissions logistics leader by 2050,” explains Thomas Ogilvie, Deutsche Post DHL Group board member for Human Resources and Corporate Incubations. “However, while we are improving our environmental footprint, we also want to increase our corporate success. TRAILAR is another great proof point for the fact that cost and emission reductions are not mutually exclusive, but can complement each other.”
“TRAILAR is a sustainable, efficient and cost-effective solution which makes a significant contribution to reducing emissions from road transport,” affirm Aaron Thomas and Denny Hulme, co-founders of TRAILAR. “We have developed a solution which implements the latest solar technology onto new and existing vehicles, so that our customers can operate more cleanly and efficiently. It helps the road transport industry adjust to a future with higher fuel prices and stricter emissions regulations.”
The technology was co-developed by Deutsche Post DHL Group and Don-Bur, the leading manufacturer of commercial vehicle trailers in the UK. After successful trials with DHL Supply Chain’s fleet in the UK, TRAILAR will be running further tests with DHL’s SmarTrucking initiative in India, with a view to adding it to its future fleet of vehicles. A global rollout within Deutsche Post DHL Group and to external fleet operators has begun and will help turn transport solutions green in the coming years.