Fontaine Modification Offers Refrigerated Trailer Electrification through New Strategic Alliance with eTRU Innovator eNow
Fontaine to integrate eNow Rayfrigeration technology into any OEM reefer trailer
Charlotte, N.C. – (Trailer Technician) — Fontaine Modification is expanding its extensive electrification integration services to include refrigerated trailers through a strategic alliance with electric transport refrigeration unit (eTRU) innovator eNow, Inc.
Fontaine will offer application engineering, integration, and installation of eNow’s proprietary renewable Rayfrigeration eTRU technology on refrigerated trailers from all manufacturers. The system can be powered by any combination of solar, e-axle and shore power. The renewable power sources maintain a high-capacity lithium-ion battery that can power an all-electric unit from 10-12 hours at temperatures from -20° F to 60°F. In addition to environmental benefits, using eTRU technology reduces fuel and maintenance costs.
Fontaine has modification centers strategically located across the United States. The company’s expert technicians will install the systems at its facilities in Charlotte and Statesville, North Carolina; Springfield, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Dublin, Virginia; and Mineral Wells, West Virginia.
“Integrating advanced systems into commercial vehicles is our specialty, and we’re excited to put our expertise to work for customers who want to extend their electrification journey to include refrigerated trailers,” said Dave Brosky, vice president, sales and business development, Fontaine Modification Work Truck & EV Solutions. “As electrification becomes increasingly mainstream, we see tremendous potential for moving beyond the truck powerplant to trailers and other equipment.”
Heavy Duty Trucking (HDT) magazine named eNow’s eTRU system for reefer trailers one of the Top 20 Products of the year in 2020. The company successfully tested the first zero-emission eTRU for commercial use on a Challenge Dairy truck making urban deliveries in 2017. With support from the California Air Resources Board (CARB), eNow’s diesel-free reefer system was deployed during a hot summer in Fresno, California, and achieved emission reductions of 98 percent nitrous oxide, 86 percent carbon dioxide, and 97 percent particulate matter compared to traditional diesel-powered systems.
“We are thrilled to work with the Fontaine team to further develop the eTRU market,” said Jeff Flath, president/CEO, eNow. “With an unstable fuel market and environmental concerns reaching a tipping point, eNow Rayfrigeration technology promises to revolutionize commercial transportation by eliminating the need for diesel fuel for trailer refrigeration and lowering equipment maintenance costs.”
About Fontaine Modification
With over 40 years of experience, Fontaine Modification is North America’s most comprehensive provider of post-production truck services for original equipment manufacturers, dealers, and fleets. Fontaine has modification centers in Charlotte and Statesville, North Carolina; Chillicothe and Springfield, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Garland and Laredo, Texas; Dublin and Salem, Virginia; and Mineral Wells, West Virginia. The company headquarters and new product development center are in Charlotte.
Fontaine Modification Heavy Truck Operations offers a full range of design, engineering and production services for vocational and on-highway trucks. Fontaine Modification Work Truck & EV Solutions provides electrification packaging, integration, and installation solutions as well as a full spectrum of medium-duty vehicle modifications.
Fontaine Modification is a Marmon Holdings / Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information about Fontaine Modification, call 800.366.8246 or visit www.fontainemodification.com.
About eNow
Founded in 2011, eNow is a clean-technology company specializing in renewable energy systems. eNow’s product line includes proprietary systems that reduce engine idling, extend auxiliary battery life for liftgates, telematics, refrigeration units, and safety lighting. eNow’s patented systems include thin, flexible, lightweight solar panels – yet rugged enough to withstand the harsh environment on top of transport vehicles, including heavy-duty trucks, transit and school buses. In 2018, eNow introduced the first zero-emission all-electric refrigeration system – branded eNow Rayfrigeration – on a 53’ trailer. eNow system reliability has been confirmed by numerous case studies – as well as performance data from more than 5,000 eNow-powered vehicles on the road. For more information, visit www.enowenergy.com.