Top 3 innovations that solved challenges for refrigerated truck electrification in 2025

Governments are tightening emissions regulations, and cities are steadily moving toward zero-emission zones. Electrifying your refrigerated fleet is no longer optional; it’s essential.

But this transition comes with challenges:

• limited range due to battery capacity,
• energy demands of refrigeration units,
• and significant upfront investment.

Fortunately, 2025 marked a turning point. New innovations not just solved these pain points; they accelorated the shift to clean, efficient, and compliant cold chain logistics, making your transition to electric easier than ever.

Here are three key innovations that made electric refrigerated transport more viable than ever in 2025.

1.       Self-charging refrigeration

What if your electric refrigeration units could be powered by the road? With Thermo King’s AxlePower technology, that becomes a reality. The ePower axle recovers energy that would otherwise go to waste and charges the Energ-e pack battery. This energy can then be used to power your trailer refrigeration unit fully electrically, while a smart power management system continuously optimizes recovery and consumption based on driving patterns.

2.     Smart Power Management

Suffering from battery range anxiety? Thanks to AxlePower’s Smart Power Management technology, you don’t need to worry. This unique smart operating system analyses road conditions and automatically switches to the best mode for you, without driver intervention. This ensures your power management is always optimal, with minimal fuel and battery consumption.

The result: continuous, silent, zero-emission cooling with optimal energy use on every journey. Paired with an Advancer-e unit, this all‑electric combo provides true autonomy on the road – slashing emissions and operating costs without sacrificing performance.

3.      Try before you buy

Electrifying your transport refrigeration fleet is a significant investment, and while the long-term benefits outweigh the initial costs, you may still be sceptical about the benefits for your fleet before you fully commit to your electrification journey.

That’s why Thermo King launched its rental solutions program in 2025 – now you can rent a trailer equipped with the powerful, all-electric Advancer-e + AxlePower combination. This flexible rental program allows you to test zero-emission refrigeration without upfront capital investment.

Ready to future-proof your fleet?
Thermo King is leading the way in building the all-electric cold chain. Explore our all-electric transport refrigeration technology here.