Carrier Transicold is highly focused on the transport industry’s movement towards more sustainable practices. As OEMs and transporters have increasingly looked to minimise their reliance on diesel engines and their resulting carbon emissions, the refrigerated technology manufacturer has, for many years, worked to supply them with strong commercially viable solutions.
Carrier advanced the market for sustainable solutions with the development of its E-Drive system for which it pioneered an all-electric refrigeration system which had no mechanical connection to the diesel engine. For many years, this product delivered benefits in refrigeration efficiency and laid the foundation for Carrier’s latest contribution to the industry’s sustainability effort – the Vector eCool trailer refrigeration system.
Vector eCool is an innovative build which completely removed the need for a diesel engine on a refrigerated semi-trailer. It combines Carrier’s tried and true E-Drive technology with a new cutting-edge energy recovery and storage system which makes it suitable for operations with the engineless versions of the manufacturer’s Vector HE 19, Vector HE 19 MT and Vector 1550.
The Vector eCool system is a sustainable solution that ticks all of the boxes of electrification and decarbonisation that produces no direct engine polluting emissions. Its power pack converts kinetic energy generated by one of the trailer’s axles into electricity which is stored in a Li FE PO4 battery pack for later use by the refrigeration unit. According to Carrier, it’s also the world’s first fully autonomous, all-electric engineless refrigerated trailer system.
Carrier Transicold Australia Director of Product and Aftermarket Solutions, Kelly Geddes, says the Vector eCool product ultimately reaffirms the OEM’s commitment to reducing emissions, improving sustainability and increasing efficiency across the refrigerated transport sector.
“We believe the Vector eCool represents the future of refrigerated trailer technology,” he says. “It remains one of the most exciting products we have ever developed. It is the result of years of research.”
In battery-only mode, Vector eCool may be capable of running up to six hours fully autonomous depending on the application and operating conditions. Carrier’s energy management power electronics automatically control the power generation of the axle generator when the trailer is moving to ensure optimal state of charge of the power pack and fridge operation.
The eCool system can also be plugged into the standard electrical grid when the trailer is parked. Carrier claims this, in addition to powering the fridge, can fully charge the batteries in two hours.
When travelling, the 23kWh power pack is recharged by a generator driven by the e-axle, producing a maximum continuous output of 19kW. When compared to conventional diesel-powered counterparts, the complete Vector eCool system is no heavier than a fridge, fuel tank and fuel.
An added benefit of Vector eCool comes from the substantial reduction in operating noise levels. The system complies with European PIEK standards – a leading international training and certification institute for the electronics manufacturing industry – which means that eCool versions of the Vector HE 19 and Vector 1550 can operate at a noise level below 60dB(A). This level is equivalent to normal conversation or background music. Combined with its low-emissions performance, the Vector eCool provides an effective solution to ever-tightening inner-city and urban noise abatement regulations as a result.
Additionally, the Vector eCool system is equipped with the Carrier Lynx Fleet telematics system which seamlessly provides information around the power level of the battery (remaining running time) to the customer. This remote visibility into the battery state of charge and operating mode can help customers, including fleet operators, better manage battery utilisation.
Now, the Vector eCool’s important role in Australia’s refrigerated transport industry has been enhanced by Carrier’s relationship with Addvolt, a Portuguese-based electronics company with a sustainability-oriented mission. Addvolt first became involved with the development of the Vector eCool platform in 2020 when the innovative power pack launched. This collaboration has since been extended following the business’ acquisition by Carrier Transicold’s parent company, Carrier Global.
The acquisition, which took place in May, was the culmination of an already strong relationship between the two companies. Carrier Global had initially invested in Addvolt through its venture capital arm, Carrier Ventures, in 2022, and the two have remained keen collaborators with development of Vector eCool since.
Although initiated at a global scale, the acquisition is extremely relevant to the local refrigerated transport industry and its push for sustainability. The combined efforts of Carrier and Addvolt have already resulted in the delivery of greater technical support and expertise for products like the Vector eCool.
During May, Addvolt Global Aftersales Support Manager, Luis Pires, facilitated a number of advanced technical training workshops for Carrier Transicold Australia technicians at the world-class Carrier workshop in Sydney. According to Kelly, the education and training of these technicians is critical for the support of high-technology products like those from Addvolt and Carrier’s Vector eCool.
“Firstly, because Australia is so far away from the factory, we must have the ability to provide high-level technical support locally” he explains. “Secondly, the advanced technology and complete system integration between the e-axle, the battery, the power controls and the electric refrigeration unit means that untrained workers do not have the certifications, knowledge, or specialised equipment to work on these systems.”
Addvolt certified Carrier technicians are located in Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth along with Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand.
Carrier in Australia has wasted no time in making the Addvolt acquisition and its benefits public. Addvolt co-founder, Rodrigo Pires, travelled to attend this year’s Brisbane Truck Show to speak with existing and prospective Carrier customers about the newly combined forces and next steps.
Another Addvolt co-founder and CEO, Bruno Azevedo, says he is excited to see what progress the two companies will be able to make in the space by combining their abilities and cumulative brainpower.
“We are thrilled to join forces with a global industry leader, marking an exciting new chapter for Addvolt to push the boundaries of our technological innovations,” he says. “We are proud of what we have built and are confident that, together with Carrier, we will further advance in our mission to advance electrification.”
On a more domestic level, Kelly says the Addvolt acquisition will not only support Carrier’s existing electrification efforts in Australia – it will also pave the way for new ground to be broken as the refrigerated transport industry continues on the road to sustainability.
“Addvolt and Carrier have other products that accelerate the journey towards electrification of the cold-chain and overall sustainability,” he says. “Putting together the might of Carrier along with innovative capabilities of Addvolt will mean exciting things for our industry’s future.”
Rodrigo Pires, at the 2025 Brisbane Truck Show. Image: Carrier Transicold.
