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:12Annual Diesel Use:-

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost£18,000
Annual Energy Use0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO£0
Payback—
Annual CO₂0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost£40,000
  
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
CO₂ Saving0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost£4,000
  
Annual Net Saving£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost£18,000
Annual Energy Use0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO£0
Payback—
Annual CO₂0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost£40,000
  
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
CO₂ Saving0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost£4,000
  
Annual Net Saving£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Diesel TRU

Baseline
Capital Cost£21,600
Annual Energy Use0 L/yr
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO£0
Payback—
Annual CO₂0 tCO₂e

Electric TRU

-
Capital Cost£50,000
  
Annual Energy Cost£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
CO₂ Saving0 tCO₂e/yr

Smart Plug

-
Capital Cost£4,000
  
Annual Net Saving£0/yr
TCO Saving£0
Payback0 yrs
Fuel / CO₂ Saved0 L / 0 tCO₂e

Payback Period vs Weekly Shifts

Electric TRUSmart 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 DownSteady StateDoor OpenRecovery
View Full Methodology & Assumptions +

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