Morgan Truck Body unveiled its latest body innovation, an electrified refrigerated concept truck body, last week at NTEA's Work Truck Show in Indianapolis.
“Morgan is at the forefront of our customers’ transition to an electrified refrigerated fleet,” says Tom Diez, vice president, sales and marketing, Morgan Truck Body. “We have been partnering and collaborating with OEMs, customers and end users to drive the innovations on the electrified truck bodies we are unveiling today.”
Mounted on a Lion Electric Lion6 chassis and utilizing a Thermo King all-electric refrigerated unit, Morgan says the 24-ft., truck body is constructed with state-of-the-art materials that are designed to maximize thermal efficiency and lighten the load, and includes a full complement of situational awareness sensors.The refrigerated unit is seamlessly integrated with Lion Electric’s vehicle systems and powered by the vehicle’s onboard batteries, which use Lion’s proprietary battery thermal management systems to maximize efficiency, the company says.
Morgan’s EV refrigerated truck body also is designed with an aluminum-extruded subframe that provides significant weight reduction and composite panels that reduce weight without compromising structural integrity. The company says the truck body is shaped to improve aerodynamics, utilizing cab-mounted fairing, side skirting and wheel covers that reduce drag and help with energy efficiency and maximize delivery range.
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Advanced energy-saving features include a high-speed side curtain door improving thermal efficiency, food chain security and significant energy savings by maintaining a constant temperature and humidity barrier for electric reefer truck interiors. Interior walls are insulated with three inches of thermal-efficient polyurethane foam to maximize energy savings, Morgan says.
“As the leading manufacturer of truck bodies in the electrified light- and medium-duty transportation segment, Lion Electric appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Morgan Truck Body on new applications for our Lion trucks,” says Brian Piern, chief commercial officer, Lion Electric. “Together, we are introducing unique features specifically adapted to end users, as well as to commercial fleets with temperature-sensitive needs, who will have the opportunity to experience the many benefits that electric trucks offer.”
The all-electric transport refrigeration unit (TRU) used in Morgan’s concept vehicle is Thermo King’s recently introduced e1000 unit. The e1000 will satisfy the refrigeration needs of large truck operators with the zero-emission benefits of electrification, the company says. As part of Thermo King’s evolve product line, the e1000 unit will provide customers with sustainable solutions with increased reliability, lower weight, and reduced noise, the company adds.
“Thermo King is committed to delivering our customers a fully electrified portfolio of transportation solutions for every segment of the cold chain by 2025,” says Chris Tanaka, vice president of product management, Thermo King Americas. “Partnering with respected industry leaders and technology innovators will help to further ensure that our new line of electrified products maintains the same level of quality, reliability and performance our customers expect from the Thermo King brand.”
“Our customers seek energy-efficient solutions that offset the weight added by batteries, without losing cargo capacity and delivery range, and this body addresses these challenges head on,” adds Morgan Truck Body Vice President of Engineering Corby Stover. “The demand for electrification has been a catalyst for innovation. The creation of our Innovation Lab along with our existing R & D center will provide a collaborative approach for Morgan to introduce new technologies and drive the transition to electric vehicles.”
