Trailer Dynamics: As if There Were No Trailer Attached

The start-up Trailer Dynamics GmbH, founded in 2018, developed the eTrailer, a comprehensive and unique solution concept for long-distance trucks by integrating an additional electric drive train in the trailer. This reduces the workload of the tractor unit, positively impacting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The driver feels as if there is no trailer attached.

(Aachen) Trailer Dynamics GmbH is making waves with a clever and efficient concept that can sustainably reduce diesel consumption in road freight transport, primarily for articulated trucks. Instead of focusing on reducing emissions from the tractor unit, the start-up targeted the trailer.

“The trailer simply offers more possibilities regarding space and axle load to install the necessary components for an electric drive,” explains Michael W. Nimtsch, co-founder and managing director of Trailer Dynamics GmbH. The basic idea was tested using a digital model, and by mid-2021, a prototype of the so-called eTrailer was already created.

At the core of the development is an electric drive train that has been outsourced to the trailer, allowing the eTrailer to be coupled to any conventional tractor unit in a plug-and-play manner. The powerful electric axle replaces one of the conventional non-driven axles of the trailer. Additionally, the sensor-based kingpin of the eTrailer enables independent real-time control in synchronization with the tractor unit. In combination with the diesel vehicle, the entire articulated truck system is transformed into an electric plug-in hybrid.

“The idea of electrifying a trailer came from co-founder Abdullah Jaber. I joined as an investor, and thus the joint venture was born,” Nimtsch continues. During further development, the Krone Nutzfahrzeug Gruppe from Werlte, a leading trailer manufacturer, was gained as a strategic partner. Jaber adds, “This strategic cooperation opened up the opportunity for us to focus on technical development and innovation. Krone enables us to achieve rapid industrialization, high-quality production, and a European after-sales service network.”

From left: Michael W. Nimtsch (Co-founder Trailer Dynamics), Dr. Stefan Binnewies (Board of Bernard Krone Holding), Abdullah Jaber (Co-founder Trailer Dynamics)

High CO₂ Savings Potential Compared to Conventional Trailers

The vision of Trailer Dynamics is to make a significant contribution to the decarbonization of the economy and to sustainable, environmentally friendly logistics for long-distance trucks with the eTrailer. As part of the entire articulated truck system, the electrified drive train of the eTrailer intelligently and optimally utilizes the available electrical energy from the traction batteries to reduce the diesel and CO₂ emissions of the tractor unit. In the first step, Trailer Dynamics will bring trailers for diesel tractor units to market so that they can be integrated into the sustainability goals of shippers and logistics companies.

The powerful electric axle replaces one of the conventional non-driven axles in the eTrailer

Focusing initially on tractor units with combustion engines is the right approach for Trailer Dynamics, as a complete electrification of road freight transport cannot be implemented overnight, even with the best intentions from all parties involved. Therefore, it is a smart move both from a business model and climate protection perspective to focus on reducing emissions from combustion engines.

“With the technology from Trailer Dynamics, we are able to significantly reduce the diesel consumption and CO₂ emissions of an articulated truck and make a substantial contribution to climate neutrality. Since the eTrailer from Trailer Dynamics can be combined with any tractor unit, we can bring the approximately two million diesel articulated trucks in the European fleet closer to low-emission green logistics,” adds Jaber.

However, even with a future total electrification of road transport, the Newton eTrailer will not become obsolete. The eTrailer, in combination with a fully electric tractor unit, increases range and thus opens up fully electric freight transport for long distances. Electrification of trailers in motor vehicle/trailer combinations, as often used in combined transport or hub operations, is also conceivable. However, that is still a bit of a future vision.

Amortization of Acquisition Costs

In general, acquiring a trailer is significantly cheaper than acquiring a tractor unit. Thus, in the interest of sustainability, it is also possible to depreciate a conventional trailer and replace it with an eTrailer. Trailer Dynamics states: “An eTrailer is more expensive to purchase than a regular standard trailer. However, due to the significant savings in fuel and the reduction of emissions, a positive TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) compared to the standard trailer is achieved, which quickly amortizes the investment and leads to cost savings in the medium term. Given the current development of fuel prices, this is an extremely relevant advantage of eTrailer technology for logistics providers.”

However, Trailer Dynamics does not see itself merely as a supplier of trailers. Nimtsch: “A trailer is changed up to ten times a day, and it is becoming less suitable as a rolling warehouse. We want to offer our customers comprehensive consulting around the eTrailer ecosystem, covering topics such as CO2 reduction, TCO calculation, charging infrastructure, eTrailer configuration, taxes, funding advice, and much more in the overall context of economical driving.” The market entry or series production of the eTrailer is planned for late 2023/early 2024.

Diverse Awards Received

The innovation of Trailer Dynamics GmbH is attracting attention, reflected in the number of awards the young company has won so far. As its first trophy, the company received the “Sustainability Award in Automotive” in the category of drive technology in 2021. Subsequently, Trailer Dynamics was awarded the Innovation Prize by the ZENIT e.V. network in early 2022.

Recently, the Eco Performance Award 2022 in the category of start-ups was added. “For us, these are recognitions for the team and an appreciation of our work, which naturally makes us very happy,” Nimtsch proudly states about the honors.

Michael Nimtsch and Abdullah Jaber present the awards for the Eco Performance Award[/caption>

About Trailer Dynamics GmbH

Trailer Dynamics GmbH is a technology innovator founded in 2018, based in Aachen. The company’s goal is to make a significant contribution to decarbonization and sustainable logistics for long-distance diesel articulated trucks, as well as to increase the range of battery electric articulated trucks with the “eTrailer” concept. The core of the development is an electric drive train outsourced to the trailer, enabling the eTrailer to be coupled to any conventional tractor unit in a plug-and-play manner. Trailer Dynamics thus offers a comprehensive and unique concept for reducing diesel consumption and CO2 emissions from long-distance trucks.

https://www.trailerdynamics.de

Photos/Drawings: © Trailer Dynamics