How expensive is fleet electrification really?

5 reasons switching to electric transport refrigeration isn’t as expensive as you think

Fleet electrification might seem very intimidating and very expensive at first glance, but there are factors you might not be considering that can significantly decrease the perceived investment cost. Let’s dive into 5 reasons why electrifying your fleet’s trailer refrigeration units could actually save you money.

1.       LESS FUEL = LOWER OPERATING COSTS

For many people, the initial investment needed to replace all your current transport refrigeration units with fully electric alternatives is the biggest obstacle. And while it’s true that the initial cost can be substantial, like so many things in fleet operations, it’s all about the return on your investment. Petrol and diesel are volatile commodities with frequent and large price shifts. European renewable energy, by contrast, is increasing at a steady pace – making sustainable electricity a future-proof, competitive energy source that is growing ever more cost-effective. In short, the lifetime fuel savings offered by electrifying your refrigeration units vastly outweigh the initial costs of the units.

2.     NO ELECTRIC CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE? NO PROBLEM

While the transition to fully electric vehicles means that the available electric charging infrastructure and rapid chargers have sharply increased over the years, there are still so-called ‘holes’ in the grid, not to mention the difference in the price of electricity across Europe. Luckily, there is a technology that allows you to overcome both these challenges: Thermo King’s AxlePower.

This self-charging technology allows you to practically go off-grid. The intelligent energy recovery system captures and stores the energy generated by driving and braking, and uses this to power the electric refrigeration unit. The system is so efficient that in South Africa, Woolworths covered over 150,000 km of entirely electric refrigeration, 97% of which was powered by energy generated with the AxlePower system.  

With AxlePower, you can generate your own electricity. You avoid paying for grid-generated power and break free of the limits imposed by limited charging infrastructure. Win-win-win!

3.     INCREASE UPTIME, KEEP EARNING

Another area of cost-saving potential for electric refrigeration units stems directly from the fundamental design of the technology itself: far fewer moving parts. The absence of an engine and other mechanical parts means

●           maintenance costs significantly decrease,

●           and uptime increases for your fleet.

That means more time on the road and more time earning.

4.     RENT BEFORE YOU BUY

If you’re not fully convinced fleet electrification is beneficial for you yet, there are alternatives to buying immediately. You can rent before you buy, and purchase only after you’ve been convinced of the benefits for your fleet. Fully equipped, electrically refrigerated trailers are available for rent from Thermo King.

5.     AVOID LEZ FINES AND UNEXPECTED COSTS

Sustainable, fully-electric transport refrigeration is a ‘when’, not an ‘if’. Global meal-kit giant Hello Fresh already makes fully electric refrigerated deliveries in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg.  By getting in on the ground floor and getting ahead of regulations, you avoid possible future costs – such as the decreased uptime associated with incremental upgrades as regulations around the use of fossil fuels increase. You’ll also avoid the fines you may incur when entering Low- or Zero Emission Zones.

With even big retailers pushing the industry towards electrification, electric transport refrigeration will soon be the norm. By taking the first step now, you position your fleet ahead of the competition, avoid costly last-minute changes, and start reaping financial savings sooner, all while shrinking your fleet’s carbon footprint. And that first step doesn’t have to mean full commitment—flexible rental options let you trial electric refrigeration without the upfront investment, so you can move forward with confidence.

Start your journey with confidence.

Explore our Electricification page to see how you can plan, prepare, and profit from going electric—one step at a time.