In what has been termed a groundbreaking development in sustainability for the transportation industry, DP World and Woolworths have launched Africa’s first refrigeration trailer equipped with AxlePower technology.
The system transforms ordinary road transport trailers into clean and efficient electricity sources.
A specially adapted axle enables the conversion of kinetic energy into electricity, which powers the refrigeration unit.
The technology offers tractor-independent, 100% electric cooling for a trailer, using free and sustainable power that results in zero trailer carbon emissions.
These trailers have proved very successful in recent European trials, with the European zone being particularly sensitive about cargo emissions and introducing increasingly tighter emission reduction targets.
Esha Mansingh, Head of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability for sub-Saharan Africa at the Emirati logistics multinational, said DP World was proud to partner with the retailer to introduce the transport solution.
“This trailer demonstrates transformative logistics technology that can help revolutionise the way we refrigerate goods on our roads.”
The trailer will operate on Woolworths’ long-haul N1 route, operated by DP World between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
In a year, a reduction of 27 tonnes of carbon emissions is expected to be made on the route, Feroz Koor, Woolworths Holdings Group Head of Sustainability, said.