Powered-trailer startup Range Energy has disclosed $8 million in seed capital from UP Partners, R7, and Yamaha Motor Ventures. The company recently also completed its software and hardware interface validation prototypes, further accelerating the electrification of industrial transportation.
Range’s powered trailers decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, reduce fuel costs for fleet owners, and are designed to eliminate operational disruptions borne from the transition to electric vehicles, the company stated. To meet both immediate decarbonization needs as well as long-term fleet transformation ambitions, Range’s powered trailers are compatible with both diesel tow vehicles and innovative all-electric tractors.
“Range was founded on the vision that cleaner, safer, and more efficient towing is attainable today,” said Ali Javidan, CEO and founder, Range Energy. “Our powered trailers seamlessly meet fleet owners’ short- and long-term decarbonization goals by easing the transition to electrification while simultaneously mitigating the risks of economic penalties associated with emerging mandates.”
According to the company, the Range team is meeting this market demand by leveraging mature component technology and control systems in an electric heavy-duty trailer that can immediately hook up to any tow vehicle and improve efficiency. With Range, the company added, fleet owners can see up to a 40% improvement in fuel efficiency depending on drive cycle.
“Regulators are moving faster than the electric truck market, creating both great opportunity and urgency,” said Adam Grosser, chairman and managing partner atUP Partners. “Couple that momentum with rising fuel prices–solutions are needed now to enhance vehicle efficiency and ensure fleet operators meet zero emissions commitments with little to no operational disruptions.”
The Range team has begun testing multiple prototype-powered trailers as it advances towards full-scale development vehicles and testing alongside commercial partners.
