Key Technology for the Energy Source
Heavy-duty vehicles cause 30% of CO₂ emissions in road traffic, and by far the largest share of these emissions comes from tractor-trailer-units.
The trailer is an essential part of the entire vehicle, but today it is still completely disconnected from the energy network of an electric tractor unit. Yet the trailer is actually a huge untapped energy source. This includes trailer brake energy recuperation, solar panels on the trailer, or the placement of batteries to improve weight distribution. In addition, the trailer could be loaded not only with cargo but also with energy independently of the tractor. In this way, energy costs can be reduced by more than 90% through the use of solar power and slow charging compared to public fast charging. The reason why this has not yet been implemented is that it requires a connection for the high-voltage power lines between the tractor and the trailer. For safety reasons, this connection with cables is only possible when stationary. Our planar feedthrough is the key technology that enables a high-voltage connection while driving for the first time. This creates the first solution that establishes an energy network across the entire tractor-trailer, including the trailer itself.
Key Technology for the Energy Source
Heavy-duty vehicles cause 30% of CO₂ emissions in road traffic, and by far the largest share of these emissions comes from tractor-trailer-units.
The trailer is an essential part of the entire vehicle, but today it is still completely disconnected from the energy network of an electric tractor unit. Yet the trailer is actually a huge untapped energy source. This includes trailer brake energy recuperation, solar panels on the trailer, or the placement of batteries to improve weight distribution. In addition, the trailer could be loaded not only with cargo but also with energy independently of the tractor. In this way, energy costs can be reduced by more than 90% through the use of solar power and slow charging compared to public fast charging. The reason why this has not yet been implemented is that it requires a connection for the high-voltage power lines between the tractor and the trailer. For safety reasons, this connection with cables is only possible when stationary. Our planar feedthrough is the key technology that enables a high-voltage connection while driving for the first time. This creates the first solution that establishes an energy network across the entire tractor-trailer, including the trailer itself.
Energy source
Today, in all electric semis,
the high-voltage energy network is limited to the tractor unit.
Trailers are a huge,
unused energy source.
To activate this energy source, a connection technology for high-voltage
power lines between the tractor and trailer is necessary.
This is not an additional feature,
it is a technical evolution.
Energy source
Today, in all electric semis, the high-voltage energy network is limited to the tractor unit.
Trailers are a huge, unused energy source.
To activate this energy source, a connection technology for high-voltage power lines between the tractor and trailer is necessary.
This is not an additional feature - it is a technical evolution.
B-Trailer
The next level of electrified logistics
A B-Trailer is a semitrailer equipped with batteries that is directly connected to the tractor’s energy network. In contrast to an E-Trailer, which features an independent energy and drive system, the B-Trailer is specifically designed for fully electrified fleets, offering significant advantages in this context. Thanks to high-voltage coupling with planar feedthrough technology, this concept becomes technically feasible for the first time. Integrating batteries into the semitrailer enables a stable extension of the vehicle’s energy network as well as direct energy storage within the semitrailer. This is an important step toward full connectivity between tractor and trailer. Mounting the batteries on the semitrailer opens up entirely new possibilities, such as:
- Since vehicles are charged from the trailer batteries while driving, they can achieve unlimited range through trailer swaps.
- 24/7 operation with electric vehicles is possible with trailer swaps and without charging stops.
- The battery weight can be optimally distributed across the vehicle's axles.
- With the B-Trailer concept, not all batteries need to be on the road with the truck at the same time.
- This allows the battery weight to be used as additional payload.
- Trailer-mounted batteries enable extended charging times without time loss.
- This enables gentler charging.
- Gentle charging increases battery lifespan.
- This extends the lifespan of the most expensive component of an electric vehicle.
- The idea of charging vehicles overnight means they are charged without solar power.
- With trailer batteries, solar energy can be used directly without compromising logistics efficiency.
- Electricity prices will fluctuate even more in the future due to the expansion of renewable energies.
- Placing batteries on the trailer makes it possible to connect them to the grid during the day.
- This way, one is not defenseless against price fluctuations and can source energy at the right time.
- Logistics companies can benefit from low to even negative electricity prices despite mobile applications.
- Since trailers can be passively charged with energy in the logistics process, longer and more flexible charging times are available.
- Longer charging time means lower charging power.
- This leads to cost savings in both energy and charging infrastructure.
B-Trailer
The next level of electrified logistics
A B-Trailer is a semitrailer equipped with batteries that is directly connected to the tractor’s energy network. In contrast to an E-Trailer, which features an independent energy and drive system, the B-Trailer is specifically designed for fully electrified fleets, offering significant advantages in this context. Thanks to high-voltage coupling with planar feedthrough technology, this concept becomes technically feasible for the first time. Integrating batteries into the semitrailer enables a stable extension of the vehicle’s energy network as well as direct energy storage within the semitrailer. This is an important step toward full connectivity between tractor and trailer. Mounting the batteries on the semitrailer opens up entirely new possibilities, such as:
- Since vehicles are charged from the trailer batteries while driving, they can achieve unlimited range through trailer swaps.
- 24/7 operation with electric vehicles is possible with trailer swaps and without charging stops.
- The battery weight can be optimally distributed across the vehicle's axles.
- With the B-Trailer concept, not all batteries need to be on the road with the truck at the same time.
- This allows the battery weight to be used as additional payload.
- Trailer-mounted batteries enable extended charging times without time loss.
- This enables gentler charging.
- Gentle charging increases battery lifespan.
- This extends the lifespan of the most expensive component of an electric vehicle.
- The idea of charging vehicles overnight means they are charged without solar power.
- With trailer batteries, solar energy can be used directly without compromising logistics efficiency.
- Electricity prices will fluctuate even more in the future due to the expansion of renewable energies.
- Placing batteries on the trailer makes it possible to connect them to the grid during the day.
- This way, one is not defenseless against price fluctuations and can source energy at the right time.
- Logistics companies can benefit from low to even negative electricity prices despite mobile applications.
- Since trailers can be passively charged with energy in the logistics process, longer and more flexible charging times are available.
- Longer charging time means lower charging power.
- This leads to cost savings in both energy and charging infrastructure.
Energylogistics
The timing and the power demand determine the price of electrical energy.
By flexibly connecting high-voltage lines, new possibilities arise. For example, batteries can be placed on the trailer, allowing trailers at the loading dock to be loaded not only with cargo but also with energy. This energy can then be transferred to the semi tractor unit through the expanded energy network while driving.
- Better weight distribution
- Processes without charging stops
- Better utilization of solar energy
- Reduction in charging power
- Cheaper energy
- Cheaper charging infrastructure
- Lower grid load
- Longer battery lifespan
Optimization
Design and optimize processes effectively and efficiently.
With a B-Trailer, energy can be flexibly sourced without load peaks and stored in the trailer. This energy can be automatically coupled with the vehicle through a trailer swap. The harmony between logistics processes and energy management is known as
“Energylogistics.”
The following PDF provides an overview of the economic benefits created by using B-Trailers.
Planar Feedthrough
Expanding the power grid to the trailer is technically feasible, but with a cable connection only possible when stationary. Our solution is the world’s first to enable a high-voltage connection while driving.
To meet these requirements, planar feedthrough technology was developed. It enables the safe and practical connection and transmission of high-voltage power lines without the need for a cable connection between the tractor and the trailer. The fully encapsulated, sealed, and shielded design can be integrated into the trailer floor without any loss of cargo volume and remains compatible with existing fifth-wheel couplings and kingpin connections.
Worry-Free Power Supply (ePTO)
With the planar feedthrough technology, power lines can remain connected even while driving. Tedious manual cable connections are no longer necessary. At the same time, trailer-mounted units can also be supplied with energy during driving.
Vehicles with ePTO sockets are already available as standard today and provide AC or DC power for trailer-mounted units. High-voltage cables should be neatly installed and secured at regular intervals, ideally every 300 mm. Since a power cable can be stretched by up to 7 meters at full steering lock, such a high-voltage cable connection is only possible while stationary. This means that trailer-mounted units can only be supplied with energy when the vehicle is not moving. In addition, the often very heavy high-voltage cables must be connected manually each time they are used. This is hard work and very time-consuming.
The planar feedthrough technology enables the connection of power lines even while driving, making work easier and opening up new possibilities.
