WABCO Holdings Inc., the leading global supplier of braking control systems and other advanced technologies that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles, announces that it will present a prototype of its first electric trailer developed to maximize operating efficiency and lower fuel consumption. WABCO’s new electric trailer equipped with an electric motor and its associated control system – named eTrailer – marks the company’s first prototype that uniquely connects truck and trailer vehicle controls.
WABCO will display its new eTrailer at IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018, one of the industry’s largest and most worldwide trade shows, in Hanover, Germany from September 20-27.
WABCO’s industry-leading eTrailer prototype uses an intelligent electric motor control to recuperate electric energy during braking, which can then be reutilized to power the vehicle’s traction or to operate onboard electric auxiliaries.
Furthermore, commercial fleet operators that connect eTrailer to a truck equipped with WABCO’s intelligent braking and stability control systems will further enhance the operating efficiency of the truck-trailer combination.
WABCO estimates that its eTrailer could deliver fuel savings up to 20% on short haul routes and up to 10% for long hauls in a truck-trailer combination.
“As a top-tier supplier, WABCO is unique in providing trailer technologies that propel trailer and truck builders into the future of vehicle electrification as exemplified by eTrailer,” says Nick Rens, WABCO President, Trailer, Aftermarket, Digital Customer Services and Off Highway Division. “This breakthrough demonstrates our differentiation by connecting truck and trailer vehicle intelligence, and it confirms WABCO in pole position as a development partner for electrification of trailers, particularly within chassis and drivetrain components.”
“WABCO’s eTrailer differentiates by targeting best-in-class energy recuperation in every mode of operation,” says Dr. Christian Brenneke, WABCO Chief Technology Officer and Head of Engineering. “WABCO is mobilizing the increasing intelligence onboard and between trailers and trucks to empower fleets to gain further efficiency and improve fuel economy while reducing CO2 and noise emissions.”
WABCO has decades of experience and domain expertise in developing and delivering commercial vehicle efficiency technologies. In particular, WABCO’s e-Trailer prototype extends a comprehensive range of WABCO solutions available for improved fuel economy among commercial fleets. For example, trucks and trailers equipped with current WABCO OptiFlow aerodynamic technologies can already achieve fuel savings up to 7%.
As of today, a tractor-trailer equipped with efficiency-related technologies from WABCO’s portfolio of industry-leading innovations can increase fuel economy up to 20% while reducing emissions. These WABCO innovations include technologies such as OptiFlow aerodynamics for trailers, OptiDrive automated manual transmission, OptiRide electronically controlled air suspension, c-comp clutch compressor, FuelGuard electronic air processing unit and OptiPace predictive economic cruise control.
