Significantly reduced weight, improved fuel economy and greater refrigeration capacity are a trio of advantages said to be found in Carrier Transicold’s new Vector 8500 single-temperature hybrid trailer refrigeration unit. It features what’s called the first fully hermetic electric scroll compressor used in a North American trailer refrigeration unit. Proven in refrigerated marine container systems, Carrier says it has 70% fewer moving parts and is 200 lb lighter than a traditional reciprocating compressor.

As with other 2013 Carrier models, the Vector 8500 unit incorporates the company’s ecoForward technologies, which are said to boost performance while providing compliance with 2013 Tier 4 emissions requirements from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The new Vector 8500 achieves 5 to 30% more BTUs of cooling per gallon of fuel at AHRI rating conditions, the company says.

The Vector platform’s signature E-Drive all-electric refrigeration technology means refrigeration and heating operations are 100% electric, powered over the road by an on-board generator driven by the unit’s diesel engine. Electric standby capability is built in, allowing haulers to tap into electric power supplies to run the system when parked, providing quiet, emissions-free refrigeration performance that’s said to reduce operating costs by up to 70% compared to diesel operations.

Vector systems provide the dual benefits of reduced maintenance requirements and higher system reliability because overall they are less complex than conventional mechanical systems, says Carrier.

The EcoForward 2.2-liter engine has been made smarter through the use of sensors and an electronic control module that communicates with Carrier’s APX control system to optimize performance, which is now standard with the company’s 2013 models.

Compared to the unit it succeeds, Carrier says its new Vector 8500 weighs 210 lb less, provides up to 4% higher cooling capacity, and consumes up to 26% less fuel over a full range of operating conditions. It also reduces engine runtime by up to 14%, resulting in claimed improvements in durability and longevity.