New analysis by Dearman has indicated that zero-­emission transport refrigeration systems could cut overall engine pollution from refrigerated vehicles by 93% and have a major impact on air quality.

Refrigeration systems on trucks are typically powered by an auxiliary diesel engine.

Poorly regulated, these small secondary engines can emit up to six times the NOx and 29 times the particulate matter of a truck’s Euro 6 propulsion engine.

The findings of Dearman’s research indicate that equipping a Euro6-­standard 17-­tonne rigid body truck with a zero-­emission refrigeration system, as opposed to a
diesel-­powered unit, would cut the vehicle’s overall engine emissions of particulate matter by 93%, and reduce NOx emissions by 73%.

Toby Peters, chief executive of Dearman said: “Air pollution accounts for 400,000 premature deaths in Europe each year, so reducing emissions wherever possible has to be a priority.

"Companies have already invested billions into R&D to make truck and car engines significantly cleaner. But auxiliary engines, including transport refrigeration units, are lagging behind.

"By increasingly moving over to zero-­emission alternatives, there is an opportunity to have a major environmental impact without forcing companies to change the way they operate. It could be a small change that makes a big difference.”