Electric refrigeration for trucks and trailers to save you money and reduce carbon emissions
Mobile refrigeration units are currently driven by fossil based fuels via diesel motors. Mobius provides a cleaner and cheaper alternative through electrical units charged by solar energy
Not only do these Mobius units save on energy costs and reduce carbon emissions, but the system is also more reliable. The electrical drive also eliminates noise and emission pollution as it powers the vehicle and tail lift electronics allowing the vehicle to be switched off entirely at depot stops.
About Us
Mobius has been providing renewable energy solutions to commercial vehicles since 2019. Mobius was born out of the need to migrate the fossil fuel based refrigerated transportation value chain to cleaner, renewable energy solutions. Recent advances in PV solar and battery technologies have created the opportunity to integrate these technologies into a refrigerated vehicle solution.
Mobius has worked closely with Thermo King, the global leader in mobile refrigeration, to gain a deep understanding of client’s needs, develop proprietary technology and conduct rigorous in use testing of its mobile refrigeration solutions.
Mobius has installed solar electric drives for 3 of the largest logistics companies in South Africa . We have experience in addressing client needs, and have collective running hours on our units totaling over 35,000 hours
Our Product and Service
Mobius designs and manufactures solar electric drives to provide clean and cost effective energy for vehicle refrigeration units. We have researched and developed with Thermo King to provide a range of products for all vehicle specifications and are also able to retrofit our existing fleet by converting electric standby to on-road supply.
We deliver an almost complete warehouse to store renewable cold chain solution from solar power at the warehouse and store to solar generation on the truck bodies, all of which results in full solar powered electric operation of tail lifts and refrigeration units. The only carbon we cannot save is the truck engines themselves.
Mobius unique design
The Solar Electric Drive was designed with large fleet owners in mind and we have ensured ease of servicing and operation whilst minimizing down time and ensuring safety.
The solar electric drive is completely interchangeable between vehicles and between different refrigeration compressor units. Each solar electric drive is therefore able to operate the entire range of Thermo King products and can be fitted to trailers and rigid trucks.
The solar electric drive does not interfere with any of the vehicles normal operations, and operates as a completely independent unit.
The units are designed to operate for 10 - 15 years.
All the component parts are modular, replaceable, and interchangeable between each other. As all products are identical, it is possible to interchange between units. Individual battery cells can be replaced, and individual inverter components can be replaced. This reduces cost and downtime and increases efficiency.
How it works
Mobius Electric Unit operates completely independently to the vehicles systems, therefore, there is no integration risks to the normal vehicle operations.
The energy source for the refrigeration and the tail lift is from solar energy and lithium batteries.
Solar panels are mounted to the roof and can provide from 20% - 60% of the energy requirements.
The standby electrical AC motor is converted to the on-road unit, and the diesel motor is used as backup if the battery and solar energy are insufficient.
The lithium battery for the refrigeration unit is used to charge the vehicles normal lead acid batteries
No external charger is required as the inverters are used to charge the battery.
The battery is charged from the main grid or from solar installed at the depot. The total charge time is 2 hours and this can also be done intermittently during the day whilst the vehicle loads and offloads.
Simple operating procedure where all operations (e.g. switching to diesel backup) are done automatically without any driver intervention required.
Low voltage 48V system ensures complete safety.
Real time telematics to provide live data on all solar, grid feed and operations.
Benefits
Utility electricity complemented with solar is 70% cheaper than fossil fuel energy.
Paybacks are typically 2-3 years in normal use case scenarios (excl. any decarbonization incentives).
Electrical driven units reduce cold chain carbon emissions by at least 50%, and as much as 100% if the depot utilizes solar.
Quieter operation as vehicle can be switched off when loading and unloading, therefore preventing noise and carbon pollution. The compressor, tail lift and all truck vehicle electronics operates from the Lithium battery
No risks of spoilt loads as there is a permanent backup via the diesel compressor.
Back up to the vehicles lead acid battery system.
Safety
Safety is our utmost priority. The following safety measures are incorporated in the design.
Low 48V voltage system.
Automatic Fire extinguisher in Battery compartment.
Fuses and relays to switch off any electronic shorting in 100ns.
All components tested on impact and vibration beds.
Automotive grade batteries that do not catch fire on crushing & penetration tests.
Batteries and electronic equipment designed to withstand vehicle roll through 90deg.
Measures put in place to mitigate lightning strike and run-away fire.
| Financial savings |
|---|
| Payback in 3 to 5 years |
| IRR 25% - 45% |
| Savings in fuel, maintenance and down time |
| Most countries have tax or other incentives to encourage the reduction of carbon emissions, which can reduce payback time considerably. |
| Utility Improvement |
|---|
| Diesel back-up system to reduce spoilt loads |
| Vehicle can switch off at depot and unloading sites. Tail lift and all vehicles electrics operates from lithium battery when vehicle switched off |
| Longer life span on compressor units as diesel motor hours reduced by 90% |
| Environmental |
|---|
| Carbon emission reduction of 10 to 25 tons per vehicle per annum. |
| Reduced noise pollution as diesel motor noise is eliminated |
| Reduced noise pollution at depot as vehicle can be switched off entirely |
Contact
Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Hugo van Veen 082 780 166 hugo@mobius-energy.com
or
Ivaan de Jager 066 371 8293 ivaan@mobius-energy.com