Isuzu Commercial Truck of America is developing an all-electric Isuzu NRR EV truck integrated with the Thermo King e300 all-electric transport refrigeration unit (TRU) during the Advanced Clean Transportation Expo (ACT). Isuzu’s Class 5 NRR EV was announced in March 2023 and is planned for production this summer.
The NRR-EV has three wheelbase offerings (132.5-in., 150-in., and 176-in.) that allow customers to choose between 14 to 20-ft. bodies to utilize the vehicle’s 19,500 GVWR. When it comes to the powertrain, the NRR-EV can be equipped with one of four battery pack configurations (60 kWh, 100 kWh, 140 kWh, and 180 kWh) with different estimated ranges from 60 to 235 miles.
This Class 5 refrigerated truck solution developed by Thermo King is fully integrated into the OEM’s electric vehicle chassis. The nose-mount unit is designed for refrigerated box trucks. The company says it can provide cooling for single-temperature applications with minimal impact on the Isuzu NRR-EV’s range. The e300’s electric reciprocating compressor provides constant, continuous system capacity regardless of whether the vehicle is stationary or driving down the road, the companies said.
“Our new NRR-EV has been the top conversation for the last couple of years,” Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America, said. “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.”
“Thermo King recognizes the power of collaboration for driving industry progress,” Chris Tanaka, vice president of product management for Thermo King Americas, said. “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.”
