Refrigerated trailers play a vital role in logistics. To ensure that the refrigeration chain is not interrupted during the transport of goods, diesel generators have generally been used to keep the refrigeration units running continuously. With the electrification of heavy-duty transport, the focus is now shifting to the conversion of trailers. The analysis shows that significant greenhouse gas emissions can already be avoided today by operating on mains power. Taking into account the current electricity mix in Germany, this results in a CO₂ savings potential of around 91.5 percent compared to diesel operation.
“Electrifying the tractor unit alone is not enough to decarbonise road freight transport. Auxiliary units such as cooling systems must also be taken into account. The new fact sheet shows how low-emission and simultaneously a practical approach to supplying trailers is possible,” says Sebastian Lahmann, Team Leader Technology & Network.
The fact sheet shows that neither a purely public CEE supply nor an exclusive ePTO solution alone will suffice. Comprehensive decarbonisation in the refrigerated transport logistics sector requires both: a supply infrastructure with CEE connections and standardised high-voltage interfaces between vehicles and trailers. This is the only way to include the existing fleet of refrigerated trailers in the transformation.
The fact sheet is now available free of charge here.(Currently only in German.)
About the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure within NOW
The National Centre for Charging Infrastructure, under the umbrella of the federally-owned NOW GmbH, coordinates and manages the activities for the expansion of the charging infrastructure in Germany on behalf of the BMV. It provides support in the planning, implementation and funding of charging infrastructure. It collects relevant data to better understand the demand for charging stations. It connects all important stakeholders and shares its knowledge. The users are always the main focus for the National Centre for Charging Infrastructure.
