How AxlePower takes the effort out of your electrification. An interview with Laurent Debias.

“When we started developing AxlePower, I kept returning to a simple ambition: electrification should be easy. Not disruptive. Not complicated. Easy.” In a one-hour interview with Laurent Debias, Thermo King EMEA’s regulatory affairs & strategic initiatives leader shares his view on how AxlePower is pushing the industry towards an easier shift to electrification. He explains how a well chosen and well designed product can simplify the electric transition, making electrification more accessible and efficient for all.

“Today, when I see our AxlePower trailers running across Europe, recovering energy in places where most systems can’t … I’m genuinely proud. Because this is exactly what we set out to build: a fully electric, fully independent solution that takes our customers’ effort out of their electrification journey.”

The best news is that nothing has to change

“I often hear fleet operators say, ‘If I switch to electric, will I have to rethink everything?’. With AxlePower, nothing really changes in the way you deliver.

1. First, there’s the clear fact that AxlePower runs fully autonomous from what’s in front. Your tractor can be diesel, hybrid, or electric, it doesn’t matter.
2. Then, there’s the energy independence. As long as you’re on the road, the system powers itself and manages its own energy use without driver interference.

This applies to both city routes and long haul. Customers around the world tell us the same thing: as long as the trailer is moving, you don’t have to worry about charging. Some have driven over 350,000 kilometers without a single plug-in. Only when stationary for more than a day, a hybrid unit comes in handy as a power backup.”

We start at 15 km/h

“Customers then often follow up by asking: “How does AxlePower achieve this level of power autonomy?” And the answer is one I’m most proud of: the product engineering.

Our generator sits within the axle, enabling us to recover energy already at 15 km/h. Others on the market only kick in at 30 or 40. In real city traffic, when do you reach that constant? You wouldn’t. So, we designed for this very low speed advantage.

The other big difference comes from our Smart Power Management. Depending on whether you’re driving steadily, braking often, or going downhill, it automatically switches between operating modes so that every bit of energy is used in the most efficient way.”

We have to make the effort for our customers

“Of course, when you’re trying new technology, seeing is believing. Yet for many customers, that’s easier said than done. We get that, and we get that we need to make the effort in how we bring this solution to them.

That’s why we created the demo and rental programs across Europe:

• The Demo program gives you a two-week trial to explore the basics, and consider how AxlePower fits into your fleet and use case. (Spoiler: it fits perfectly)
• In the Rental program, customers can lease a fully equipped AxlePower trailer, including an eTRU, for 2 years. This eliminates the upfront cost and allows worry-free adoption.

From what we hear back from customers, convincing doesn’t take long when testing AxlePower. Mainly because the results are so tangible: your fuel savings are instantly visible, you know exactly how much CO2 was saved, how many electric run hours you had … It’s all there, in numbers, on the dashboard.”

It’s the power foundation for the future

“The reason that we’re all so excited about AxlePower, I believe, is also because of what it represents for the future. The power electronics, energy management, and agnostic design will shape the refrigerated trucks and trailers of tomorrow.

But if there’s one thing I want fleet managers to know today, it’s that AxlePower doesn’t ask you to change. Yet it will change everything for you.”