World first Adgero hybrid technology in new Fraikin truck fleet trial

A breakthrough hybrid truck system from French transport tech developer Adgero will be trialled on UK delivery routes in coming weeks, marking the first time a rigid lorry will be transformed into a hybrid using Adgero’s regenerative braking technology.

Adgero recently signed an agreement with Fraikin, one of the largest commercial vehicle fleet services companies in the UK, to supply the Adgero UltraBoost hybrid system to boost efficiency through fuel savings, extra power and reduced emissions for rigid lorry applications.

Fraikin will supply the Iveco Euro VI test vehicle equipped with Adgero’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) technology to the British division of a leading international logistics company for use on its urban UK delivery routes, including Greater London. To complete the demonstrator project Adgero is also partnering with Alternatech, a leading Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion firm based in the UK.

President of Adgero Mack Murray said it was important that the demonstrator trial would include delivery routes in London, considering the city’s efforts to tackle diesel vehicle emissions:

“We are proud to partner with Fraikin and Alternatech to offer the first rigid lorry application of our technology to a market leader in logistics. Our solution will help demonstrate the efficiencies that companies can realise through reduced fuel consumption and greater power.”

“Vehicle emissions are a major concern for London and Adgero is proud to be working on part of the solution. We look forward to exploring the future of our application on other routes and vehicles in the weeks and months to come.”

The hybrid solution is projected to reduce fuel consumption and associated emissions by up to 15-30 per cent. During braking, the unit becomes a generator, recovering kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. This energy is then stored in a bank of five high-power graphene-based ultracapacitors, exclusively supplied by Europe’s leading ultracapacitor manufacturer Skeleton Technologies.

Alternatech will manage the conversion of the hybrid power system for the vehicle and the commercial development of the system in the UK, while Fraikin will manage leasing arrangements.

The Euro VI engine designator refers to the latest diesel engine emission legislations mandated by the European Commission. Permitted NOx levels are reduced by 75 per cent compared with the Euro V standard.

Adgero recently unveiled the world’s first operational road transport hybrid system at Britain’s largest commercial vehicle show in April this year. Adgero partnered with leading European manufacturer SDC Trailers to install their UltraBoostST system on a 13.6m curtainsider trailer, finished in the livery of major UK-based transport and distribution company, Eddie Stobart.