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Carrier Transicold has unveiled a new all-electric system, called the Vector eCool, for powering engineless trailer refrigeration units. The refrigerated shipping specialist’s latest technology is not, however, just a vast array of heavy and load-reducing batteries slung under a trailer. Instead, the Vector eCool features a sensibly sized battery and an axle-based energy generation and … Continue reading Carrier’s zero-emissions refrigeration tech for trailers

The quest to drive down local emissions, particularly in urban areas, is leading many businesses to adopt electric vehicles. Electric panel vans, for example, are ideal for last-mile delivery applications – and their all-electric nature often exempts them from increasingly common emissions-based charges and restrictions. Some companies have added refrigeration units to such vans, allowing … Continue reading Hello Fresh rolls out refrigerated electric vans

MULTINATIONAL online shopping giant Amazon has unveiled a new all-electric delivery van that will contribute to the company’s zero-carbon efforts. The smartly styled van, designed and built in collaboration with electric vehicle specialist Rivian, will be deployed in considerable numbers. Amazon states that up to 10,000 could be on the road as early as 2022, … Continue reading Electric vans to deliver emissions reductions for Amazon

USING electric vehicles for last-mile delivery makes perfect sense. For starters, they’re quiet and clean so their operation in urban areas is less antisocial and increasingly essential, given the rise in emissions-restricted zones and potential related charges. Such low- and ultra-low emissions zones may eventually arise in other cities and areas, meaning more transport businesses … Continue reading New electrified options paving way for sustainable commercial vehicles

MARIO Molina, a scientist highly regarded for his work on environmental problems and solutions, died on 7 October at the age of 77. Dr Molina was known by many for his work on a research paper, produced in 1974 in collaboration with US scientist Frank Sherwood Rowland, which revealed how decomposing CFCs would destroy the … Continue reading Lifetime achievements of ‘ozone layer saviour’ Mario Molina celebrated

Biosignatures have long played a part in the search for other life in our universe. These signatures are chemical elements or substances, such as methane detected in the atmosphere of a planet, that are naturally produced by living organisms. However, scientists at the Massachusetts-based Centre for Astrophysics and the University of Rochester are collaborating on … Continue reading CFCs could reveal life on other planets

Authorities clamp down on illegal import and cylinder usage A refrigeration specialist based in Victoria has been fined $A12,600 for importing HCFCs without the required permissions.  The company, which imports, builds and supplies air-conditioning systems, was also fined for the use of illegal disposable refrigerant cylinders – a storage method that has been banned since … Continue reading Victorian company hit with HCFC fine

FROM January 2021, Australia will start a two-year transition to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 7 (GHS 7). Changes to hazard classes between GHS 3 and GHS 7 include the addition of Flammable Gas Category 1A and 1B. These replace Flammable Gas Category 1 and allow for distinction between … Continue reading Transition to latest GHS 7 chemical ID system starts in 2021

Tide slowly turning on Europe’s illegal refrigerant trade but more action needed A RECENTLY announced review of the European F-gas Regulation could help combat the continent’s ongoing and extensive illegal refrigerant trade.   The Combined Evaluation Roadmap/Inception Impact Assessment, published by the European Commission (EC) in June, aims to research, outline and assess the effectiveness … Continue reading Europe must act on F-gas enforcement