CN offers shippers an EcoRide

TORONTO – CN Rail will launch a new container chassis expected to reduce fuel consumption in its trucked containers by eight to 10 percent.

The EcoRide chassis is equipped with side skirts to reduce aerodynamic drag, a weight reduction of 15 percent over conventional CN chassis, and low-rolling resistance tires on each axle.

After the launch of EcoTherm, CN’s new "greener insulated" container last year, the company began explore other ways to offer lower emissions supply chain solutions.

CN’s next step will include testing hybrid container cranes, in-terminal hybrid trucks, and energy efficient generators, says Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president.

The railways is also deploying the hybrid shunt trucks in ground switching of containers on chassis at our Brampton Intermodal Terminal this month.

"We are working very closely with CN to develop a low carbon supply chain," said Craig McLaughlin, vice-president, supply chain, for Kraft Canada – a major CN intermodal customer.