Cold Chain TRU Economics Calculator

Compare Total Cost of Ownership, payback periods, and CO₂ savings across trailer refrigeration technologies. See our guide to reducing TRU emissions for background.

About your Operation

Energy Costs

£ /litre
£ /kWh

Utilisation

years

Vehicle Technology Costs

£
£
£
£
£
Installed cost per plug point

Temperature Mode

What is the Best Option?

Best Overall Option

-
by TCO

Fastest Payback

-
years

Carbon Abatement Cost

eTRU -
Plug -
£ per tCO₂e/yr saved
Weekly Shifts: 12 Annual Diesel Use: -

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost £18,000
Annual Energy Use 0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO £0
Payback —
Annual CO₂ 0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost £40,000
   
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
CO₂ Saving 0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost £4,000
   
Annual Net Saving £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved 0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost £18,000
Annual Energy Use 0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO £0
Payback —
Annual CO₂ 0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost £40,000
   
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
CO₂ Saving 0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost £4,000
   
Annual Net Saving £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved 0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost £21,600
Annual Energy Use 0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO £0
Payback —
Annual CO₂ 0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost £50,000
   
Annual Energy Cost £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
CO₂ Saving 0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost £4,000
   
Annual Net Saving £0/yr
TCO Saving £0
Payback 0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved 0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Payback Period vs Weekly Shifts

Electric TRU Smart Plug

Current operating point shown as vertical line

Show Sensitivity Analysis +

Note: These calculations are based on the Zemo Partnership HGV Auxiliary Engines Report 2024 and typical operating parameters. Actual results may vary based on your specific fleet operations, routes, and ambient conditions.

How We Calculate This

Our calculations model a realistic delivery shift using four distinct TRU operating phases based on Zemo Partnership field data. For a deeper dive into how duty cycles shape TRU economics, see our full guide.

Cycle Duration by Phase
Fuel Usage per Duty Cycle
Pull Down Steady State Door Open Recovery
View Full Methodology & Assumptions +

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