Wallenius Wilhelmsen expands services in the North
Jun 1, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Digital customs procedures at Belgian airports
Jun 1, 2026 at 3:02 PM
The international logistics service provider Grupo Primafrio and Mercedes-Benz Trucks have launched a joint project aimed at the complete electrification of refrigerated logistics transport. The goal is to validate the first demonstration of an electric tractor unit, the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, in combination with a refrigerated semi-trailer under real operating conditions.
Progress in refrigerated logistics
The project was presented at the headquarters of the Spanish Grupo Primafrio in Alhama de Murcia. High-ranking representatives from both companies attended the meeting, including José Esteban Conesa, President of Grupo Primafrio, and Alexander Müller, Director of Electrification at Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Conesa emphasized that the collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Trucks represents a crucial step in the company’s decarbonization strategy. He stated that the partnership enables the faster adoption of innovative solutions and their application under real conditions.
Müller added that the initiative represents a significant advancement for sustainable refrigerated logistics transport in Europe. The collaboration aims to identify opportunities for energy supply along transport routes and ensure that operations are both feasible and economically viable.
Technological innovations for a sustainable future
A central element of the project is the electrification of the refrigerated semi-trailer through an electric Power Take-Off system (ePTO). This system allows the refrigeration units to be powered directly by the energy of the electric tractor unit, eliminating the need for diesel-powered auxiliary units and reducing associated emissions.
The demonstration will examine the operational feasibility of emission-free solutions for both the tractor unit and the trailer, representing an important step towards sustainable logistics operations. The relevance of this initiative is particularly evident in the field of refrigerated logistics, which is considered to be particularly energy-intensive.
Grupo Primafrio brings its experience in electromobility as well as its own infrastructure for energy generation and charging to the project to ensure the tests are conducted under realistic conditions.
The first test drives will take place on strategic routes between the headquarters in Murcia and the logistics centers in Pinto (Madrid) and Vilamalla (Girona). The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, with a range of up to 500 km, will be used for these tests.
The project aims to collect valuable data on performance, efficiency, and reliability that are crucial for future implementation in European logistics networks.
