Biocoop Invests in Electrification with Carrier Transicold’s Vector eCool System

As part of its strategy to reduce its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, La Société des Transports Biocoop (Biocoop Transport Company), the transportation division for the Biocoop network of organic food stores throughout France, has acquired its first semi-trailer equipped with Carrier Transicold's 100% electric Vector® eCool refrigeration unit. This technology enables Biocoop to operate its semi-trailer 100% electrically, eliminating the need for an internal combustion engine for the refrigeration unit. Carrier Transicold is part of Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions. 

Having already converted 75% of its fleet to run on biogas, with the aim of reaching 100% by the end of 2025, this new investment marks another important step in the decarbonization of Biocoop's transport activities. Bicoop has set the ambitious target of converting 30% of its refrigerated semi-trailers to Carrier Transicold's all-electric eCool technology by 2030, as part of its overall strategy to reduce its CO2 emissions by 25% across all its activities. 

"The Vector eCool represents a real step forward for us," said Ouadie Benaissa, Managing Director of Société des Transports Biocoop. "At Biocoop, we are actively committed to using sustainable, non-fossil fuel energy sources as part of our decarbonisation strategy. We have renewed our partnership with Carrier Transicold to phase out the use of refrigeration units that run on non-road diesel fuel." 

The Vector eCool combines Carrier Transicold’s all-electric E-Drive technology with a state-of-the-art energy recovery and storage system that converts kinetic energy generated by the semitrailer into electricity via a generator axle. The electricity generated in this way is stored in a battery pack, which in turn supplies energy to the refrigeration unit. This closed-loop system creates a fully autonomous system that generates no direct CO2 or particulate emissions.  

The Vector eCool is also very quiet, with an operating noise level of less than 60 dB. This system is particularly well-suited to night-time deliveries in towns and cities, so as not to disturb local residents, while providing drivers with more comfortable working conditions. 

The Chéreau semi-trailer is pulled by a latest-generation 420 Hp Scania tractor unit that runs on biogas. It will be used mainly for delivery rounds in the Île-de-France area and in Paris, with deliveries departing from the company's logistics platform in Ollainville, in the Essonne department.  

"After several tests, we found that we still had more than 85% of energy available in the battery after the delivery run," said Benaissa. 

Through this investment, Biocoop is reasserting its role as a pioneer in sustainable logistics, by continuing to innovate to reduce its environmental footprint.  

Vector eCool units are sustainable cold-chain solutions that contribute to Carrier's goal of helping its customers avoid more than 1 gigaton of greenhouse-gas emissions by 2030.  

To find out more about Carrier Transicold's products and services, please visit Carrier Transicold. 

About Carrier Transicold 

Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 50 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. For more information, please visit the Carrier Transicold website. Follow Carrier on X @SmartColdChain and on LinkedIn at Carrier Transicold Truck Trailer Refrigeration.