Isuzu's New Refrigerated Body Goes Electric

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, Inc. has announced the development of an all-electric Isuzu NRR EV truck integrated with the Thermo King e300 all-electric transport refrigeration unit (TRU) at the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo (ACT).

The Isuzu NRR EV was announced in March 2023 and is planned for production this summer. The Class 5 NRR-EV is Isuzu’s next generation of medium-duty delivery trucks and signifies a significant advancement in EV powertrain technology.

A Medium-Duty Electric Truck for Working Fleets

The Isuzu N-Series trucks have long been an industry favorite for their maneuverability and visibility, the two key hallmarks of their low-cab forward design. 

The NRR-EV has three wheelbase offerings (132.5”, 150”, and 176”) that allows customers to choose between 14 to 20-ft. bodies to utilize the vehicle’s 19,500 lb. GVWR. When it comes to the powertrain, the NRR-EV can be equipped with one of four battery pack configurations with different estimated ranges from 60 to 235 miles:

• 60 kWh
• 100 kWh
• 140 kWh
• 180 kWh

Electrifying Refrigeration Solutions for Class 5 Trucks

The advanced Isuzu powertrain is crucial for the development of an all-electric refrigerated Class 5 truck. The powertrain is equipped with an electric-power takeoff (ePTO) that can produce 7 to 12 kWh output, with a peak output of 26 kWh for demand spikes, such as when operating a dump body under heavy load.

One of the best features of the ePTO is that it works seamlessly without the need for a switch. This means the driver doesn’t need to adjust it to meet the power demands of the onboard equipment. 

The NRR-EV’s onboard computer will communicate directly with the Thermo King e300 all-electric transport refrigeration unit and supply the power needed.

The Thermo King e300 is part of the evolve portfolio of electrified refrigeration solutions. This Class 5 refrigerated truck solution developed by Thermo King is fully integrated into the OEM’s electric vehicle chassis. 

Customers can order an EV chassis with an all-electric transport refrigeration unit to meet their delivery needs.

The nose-mount unit is specifically designed for refrigerated box trucks to help companies comply with decarbonization regulations and goals. It is capable of providing cooling for single temperature applications with minimal impact on the Isuzu NRR-EV’s range.

The e300’s electric reciprocating compressor ensures constant and continuous system capacity, whether the vehicle is stationary or in motion. This capacity remains unaffected by varying engine RPM changes, which would normally impact the performance of a traditional engine-driven system.

Cutting-Edge Technology and Collaboration

The e300 eliminates traditional components such as the belt-driven compressor, mount and drive kit, and refrigeration hose. Installers will appreciate the reduction in overall installation time, and owners will appreciate the increased reliability due to fewer parts, leading to fewer breakdowns.

Additionally, the e300 uses R-452A refrigerant, which is a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant that reduces direct CO2 emissions by nearly 50% per unit when compared to the traditional R-404A refrigerant. This truck opens new doors for businesses and Isuzu.In fact, the e300 eliminates traditional components like the belt driven compressor, mount and drive kit, and refrigeration hose.

Installers will appreciate the reduction in overall installation time and owners will appreciate the increased reliability because less parts means fewer breakdowns. 

The e300 also uses R-452A refrigerant which is a low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant that reduces direct CO2 emissions by nearly 50% per unit when compared to the traditional R-404A refrigerant.

This truck opens new doors for businesses and Isuzu. 

“Our new NRR-EV has been the top conversation for the last couple of years. We knew we had a good solution for dry product delivery, but many of our customers also needed refrigerated delivery. With all of the intricacies of the powertrain and a new approach to refrigeration, this really shows the power of the Isuzu-Thermo King collaboration. Engineers have worked tirelessly to get this right and customers will appreciate what this truck can do. For Isuzu, this is among the first Class 5 all-electric refrigerated truck offerings, and it will open new doors for us and our brand," said Shaun Skinner, President of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America.

Sustainability and collaboration are at the heart of this new truck. 

“Thermo King recognizes the power of collaboration for driving industry progress. Strategic collaborations, such as with Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, underscore our commitment to providing our joint customers with cutting-edge technology that align with OEM developments and propel zero-emission transportation forward," said Chris Tanaka, Vice President of Product Management for Thermo King Americas.