Building a better future together

Our vision for the next generation of trailer refrigeration created a buzz at SOLUTRANS 2025.

Excitement was in the air in Lyon, France last week during SOLUTRANS 2025, the must-attend biennial event for road and urban transport professionals. Our Thermo King EMEA team took advantage of Europe’s leading trade show dedicated to innovation and solutions tailored to the evolving commercial vehicle industry to introduce a concept all-electric trailer refrigeration unit. And the response was extremely positive!

Star of the show

An all-electric solution that will set fleets up for sustainable success, the concept unit features an onboard battery, built-in AI intelligence, and compatibility with a variety of power sources. It truly gave customers a glimpse into the future and provided them a chance to share their opinions on this bold step in decarbonized trailer transport.

While the impressive, futuristic-looking unit received much of the spotlight at the show, Thermo King’s existing innovations and messaging was crystal clear:

“We want to lead the electric transformation of refrigerated transport by offering solutions that address both today’s operational demands and tomorrow’s sustainability goals,” said Claudio Zanframundo, president of Thermo King EMEA Truck, Trailer, Bus and Global Marine, Rail, Air (pictured with concept unit).

Meeting customers where they are today

While we have already achieved our goal to have an electric solution in every product category, we must continue to recognize that each customer’s path to net zero is unique. This is why Thermo King offers the industry’s most comprehensive range of refrigeration solutions for commercial transport, from last mile deliveries to long-haul trailer distribution.

Examples of all were featured in Thermo King’s booth, the now infamous eZone:

• Digitalization & AI: we are the first transport refrigeration solutions manufacturer to debut an AI-driven digital innovation
• E-Volution: unveiled in 2024 and now ready for serial production, these large truck refrigeration units represent a major step forward
• E-Series Units: purpose-built for last-mile deliveries in vans and light commercial vehicles, these fully electric units deliver increased payload, lower energy consumption and more heating capacity
• Hybrid Technologies: Advancer AxlePower leads the way, enabling self-charging electric trailer refrigeration while virtually eliminating impact on tractor fuel consumption
• Conventional Units: Recent advancements have added sustainability and operational excellence efficiencies

“Rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all transition, we want to help customers begin their journey by strategically replacing legacy products with new, best-fit technologies. Whether electrifying, hybridizing, or upgrading traditional fleets, we want to be known as the trusted partner who offers leading expertise and a robust, evolving portfolio for every application,” added Claudio.

Main photo above: Laurent Debias, product management and regulatory affairs leader EMEA, shared details about our concept all-electric trailer refrigeration unit after a press conference at SOLUTRANS 2025.
Below: a glimpse of the booth and action at the show.