How Do Refrigerated Trucks Get Power?

Introduction

Refrigerated trucks, also known as reefers, carry goods that need to stay cold. These goods include food, medicines, and vaccines. Keeping these items cold is very important. So, how do refrigerated trucks get power to stay cold?

Basics of Refrigerated Truck Power Systems

A refrigerated truck has a refrigeration unit. This unit keeps the inside of the truck cold. The unit needs power to work. There are different ways to power these units.

Primary Power Sources for Refrigerated Trucks

Engine-Driven Systems

Some trucks use the vehicle engine power for refrigeration. This means the same engine that moves the truck also powers the cooling unit. This is common in many trucks.

Dedicated Diesel Generators

Other trucks have dedicated diesel generators. These generators are separate from the main engine. They run on diesel fuel to power the refrigeration unit. This system is reliable but uses more fuel and makes more emissions.

Electric & Battery-Powered Systems

Now, many trucks use electric-powered refrigeration units. These units get power from battery power systems for refrigeration. Some trucks, like those made by Thermo King, have electric units built into electric vehicle chassis. This helps to reduce emissions and noise.

Solar-Powered Innovations

Some companies use solar-powered refrigeration trucks. They put solar panels on the truck roofs to get power from the sun. For example, eNow has 1,000 trailers with solar panels.

Hybrid Systems

There are also hybrid refrigeration systems. These systems can use diesel, electric, or other power sources. Some trucks can plug into shore power when parked. This means they can get power from the electric grid instead of running the engine.

Industry Trends Driving Change

Electrification Surge

There is a big move towards electric transport refrigeration units (eTRUs). This is because of new laws and a decarbonization movement in cold chains. For example, the EPA Clean Trucks Plan wants trucks to have lower emissions.

Renewable Energy Integration

Companies are looking at renewable energy for refrigeration. This includes using hydrogen-powered refrigeration and solar-powered systems. There are pilot projects testing these new ideas.

Market Growth & Segmentation

The refrigerated transport market is growing fast. The market is expected to reach $29.3 billion by 2033. There is a big demand for frozen goods transport, growing at 10% per year. Top companies like C.R. England Inc., KLLM Transport Services, and Marten Transport Ltd are important players.

Challenges in Powering Refrigerated Fleets

Powering refrigerated trucks is not easy. There are energy consumption concerns. Electric trucks may have range limitations because cooling uses a lot of power. Also, changing from diesel to electric can be costly. There is a need for more electric refrigeration infrastructure, like places to charge the batteries.

Innovations & Solutions

Thermo King’s Nose-Mount Units are electric cooling units that do not affect the truck’s range much. There are also e-axles that can charge the battery while the truck moves. Telematics and data analytics help monitor energy use and make routes better.

Future Outlook

In the future, we may see all-electric TRUs with no diesel backup. There is a push for zero-emission reefer trucks. Cold-chain logistics will continue to grow. New technologies like hydrogen fuel cells and solar refrigeration may become more common.

Conclusion

Refrigerated trucks get power in many ways. They use engines, diesel generators, batteries, solar panels, and hybrids. The industry is moving towards more sustainable refrigerated transport. This will help reduce emissions and meet new regulations. Businesses should look at new eco-friendly refrigeration solutions for the future.

Table: Key Data on Refrigerated Truck Power Systems

Category	Key Data	Source
Market Growth	All-electric refrigerated truck market to reach $2.84B by 2030 (51.3% CAGR)	Global Info Research
Regional Trends	U.S./Canada refrigerated trucking market growing at 4% CAGR	Business Wire
Global Market Size	Market expected to reach $30.8B by 2034 (5.5% CAGR)	Expert Market Research
Segment Growth	Frozen goods transport growing at 10% CAGR	Mordor Intelligence
Technology Adoption	Electric trucks saving 15–20% energy via optimized models	ScienceDirect

Internal Links

• Learn more about our Foton Auman high roof double sleeper refrigerated truck for advanced cooling solutions.
• Check out the JAC high-end refrigerated truck for efficient temperature control.
• Explore the High-End Refrigerated Truck with top features and reliability.