Electric solutions

AxlePower

Energy recoveryTrailerZero-emission

Zero-emission refrigeration — the Advancer unit runs on recovered electricity
Trailer-mounted BPW ePower axle harvests energy from motion
Energ-e battery pack under the trailer — 19 kWh or 38 kWh
Up to 4 hours of autonomous operation (38 kWh)
Smart Power Management switches between four modes automatically
Tractor-independent — works with diesel, HVO, biofuel or BEV tractors

Thermo King AxlePower is a system where an axle generator captures the trailer's waste energy while in motion. The BPW-developed axle features two independent generators producing electricity for a battery pack. The battery pack then powers the refrigeration unit — which can be any unit from the Thermo King range. The unit can be a conventional A-500 if a combustion engine is desired as backup for the battery pack, or a fully electric A-500e for a completely electric system. The axle mounts to the same fixing points as a standard axle, enabling retrofit in some situations. Low operating costs and engine-free technology ensure savings throughout the system's service life.

Specifications

Energ-e battery pack

Standard capacity: 19 kWh
Extended capacity: 38 kWh
Autonomous run-time: up to 4 h
Charging: Fast charge, short downtime
Position: Underneath the trailer

BPW ePower axle

Type: Energy-recovery generator
Installation: Trailer axle
Energy sources: Braking + downhill driving
BEV battery impact: Energy-efficient — reduced impact

Smart Power Management

Passive mode: Battery protection — no temperature requirement
Recuperation mode: Energy recovery from braking / downhill
Active mode: The tractor engine assists on level stretches
Active Fast Charge: Boosted charging in demanding duty cycles

Compatibility

Installation type: Integrated into the trailer
Tractor compatibility: Any tractor unit
Tractor fuel: Diesel · HVO · biodiesel · BEV
Refrigeration unit: Thermo King Advancer (A-Series)

Environment and emissions

Unit emissions on electric power: 0 g
Operating noise: Quiet — no diesel engine in use
Low-emission zone access: LEZ · ZEZ · PIEK

The technical data and dimensions shown are indicative and not binding. Verify the final dimensions and specifications with our sales team before ordering. Subject to technical changes, errors and translation errors.

More about the Advancer range

0 g

CO₂ emissions on electric power

≤ 4 h

Autonomous run-time

38 kWh

Battery capacity (extended)

Any

Tractor — any

Energy from the road — none of it goes to waste

A trailer-integrated BPW ePower axle harvests energy whenever the wheels turn — especially during braking and downhill driving. Energy is stored in an Energ-e battery pack mounted under the trailer, and the Advancer refrigeration unit runs on this recovered electricity. After a single charge cycle the autonomous run-time stretches up to four hours — enough for the final leg of city distribution routes without a single drop of fuel.

Smart Power Management — four operating modes

The intelligent control system switches automatically between four operating modes: Passive mode protects the battery when the load doesn't require temperature control, Recuperation mode harvests energy from braking and downhill driving, Active mode draws supplementary energy from the tractor engine on flat stretches, and Active Fast Charge boosts charging for demanding usage profiles. No driver intervention required — the system optimises itself.

Energ-e battery pack — 19 or 38 kWh

The modular Energ-e battery pack is offered in two sizes: 19 kWh standard and 38 kWh extended. The battery can also operate as a standalone power source — without axle charging — and rapid charging minimises downtime. Eliminates engine idling and delivers significant fuel and noise savings plus extended service intervals.

Tractor-independent — works with any vehicle

The complete system is trailer-integrated, so the tractor type doesn't matter. Diesel, HVO, biodiesel or BEV — AxlePower lets transport operators take a step towards emission-free fleet operation without replacing existing tractor units. Winner of the European Transport Award for Sustainability 2024.