Fully electric E-500e for light commercial vehicles
14th February 2024
BELGIUM: Thermo King is starting the production of its new fully electric E-500e single and multi-temperature models for electric light commercial vehicles.
The E-500e is designed to extract the full potential of electrically-powered refrigeration while ensuring the lowest possible impact on the battery and range of the electric vehicle. Custom-designed inverter technology, a patented power control system and real-time communication between the unit and the vehicle are said to maximise the cooling performance, energy efficiency and optimal power supply with minimal impact on the vehicle’s autonomy.
The E-500e is powered directly by the vehicle’s battery, eliminating the need to invest in an additional battery pack or shore connection module. Drivers can keep their refrigeration unit running while their battery electric vehicle (BEV) is charging or stationed at a delivery stop.
A brand-new, high-speed compressor with RPM independent of the vehicle’s speed generates electric cooling capacities up to 4.5kW and both cooling and heating modes to fit customers’ multiple application needs.
The E-500e is said to be fully compliant with LEZ, ULEZ and ZEZ emission zones, as well as diesel-ban areas.
Thanks to the compact design, and being half the weight of an equivalent legacy unit, the units are said to be easy to install on panel vans, chassis cab trucks and other types of vehicle conversions. The lower weight means a reduced impact on the battery-electric vehicle’s range and maximises the vehicle’s payload.
“For this model, we went back to the drawing board, keeping our customers’ and the environment’s needs at heart. With the European Union calling for CO₂ emissions from new trucks to be cut by 90% by 2040, we give our customers solutions that help them align with this transition and future proof their operations. We are now starting the production of the E-500e single and multi-temperature units, and more models will follow,” said Thermo King product manager Davide Fusciani.
