CN launches eco-friendly chassis

TORONTO: CN is launching a container chassis called EcoRide that will reduce fuel consumption to and from its intermodal terminals, the company said.

The EcoRide chassis is the first environmentally friendly container chassis in the North American intermodal industry, according to CN. It is expected to reduce fuel consumption by eight to 10 percent.

The chassis features side skirts to reduce aerodynamic drag, a weight 15 percent less than conventional CN chassis and low-rolling resistance tires on each axle instead of the usual four tires per axle. CN will debut the chassis in Ontario in April.

“CN’s next steps in environmental innovation will include testing hybrid container cranes, in-terminal hybrid trucks, and energy efficient generators,” said Jean-Jacques Ruest, CN executive vice-president and chief marketing officer. “CN is deploying the hybrid shunt trucks in ground switching of containers on chassis at our Brampton Intermodal Terminal this month.”