Thermo King, a global leader in transport temperature control and a brand of Trane Technologies, has unveiled a series of strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating the adoption of its AxlePower self-charging electric trailer refrigeration system across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).
These initiatives are designed to help logistics operators reduce emissions, simplify integration, and better understand the long-term value of switching to sustainable refrigeration technologies.
The AxlePower system, which recovers kinetic energy during braking or downhill travel and uses it to power electric cooling units, has already logged over 1 million kilometres and 13,500 hours of grid-free operation across diverse climates—from Sweden to South Africa. Now, Thermo King is scaling the programme through new customer support tools and flexible access options.
“The cold chain plays a vital role in food safety, but the energy demands and emissions of traditional systems create a significant sustainability challenge,” said Wouter Roels, aftermarket and digital services leader for Thermo King EMEA. “With AxlePower, we’ve delivered a breakthrough in energy recovery for trailers. Now, with pan-European homologation, a rental programme, and our new TCO calculator, we’re making it easier for fleets to adopt this game-changing technology.”
To support this transition, Thermo King has introduced a dedicated Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) calculator, specifically tailored to the AxlePower system. This modelling tool enables fleet managers to assess the full economic and environmental impact of adopting AxlePower, including fuel savings, CO₂ emission reductions, and expected payback times. It provides operational insights based on specific fleet conditions, helping decision-makers make data-driven, strategic choices.
In addition, a new flexible long-term rental programme has been launched to lower the financial barriers to adoption. Through this offering, customers can rent pre-installed AxlePower-equipped refrigerated trailers under manageable contractual terms without the need for upfront capital investment. The rental packages include full maintenance, system monitoring, and performance tracking via Thermo King’s digital platforms. After a minimum term of 12 months, customers have the option to extend their contract or return the trailer.
Thermo King has also achieved pan-European homologation for the AxlePower system, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards across major EU and EMEA markets. This removes a significant obstacle for fleets that operate across borders, providing confidence and clarity around system approval and integration into existing trailer operations.
“These additions mean our customers can now trial AxlePower in their operations, track its benefits in real time, and scale up when ready—without committing to major upfront investments,” added Roels.
AxlePower is designed to be tractor-independent and seamlessly integrates into both hybrid and fully electric trailer configurations. It recovers energy through an electric axle during vehicle motion—particularly braking or descending—and stores it in battery packs. This stored energy powers the refrigeration unit without relying on diesel engines or external electricity sources.
By utilising proprietary smart power management, AxlePower dynamically adjusts to road and operational conditions. It disengages the e-axle during uphill climbs to prevent excess fuel usage and maximises recovery during downhill segments. The result is a quiet, high-performance cooling solution that can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 12 tonnes per year per trailer.
Thermo King reports that its AxlePower-equipped trailers have been successfully deployed in a variety of conditions—from the icy roads of Scandinavia to the heat of southern Africa. In the past year alone, the nine most active trailers equipped with the system operated across Sweden, the Netherlands, and South Africa, demonstrating durability, versatility, and reliable electric cooling without grid dependency.
With its latest efforts to streamline access and demonstrate measurable performance benefits, Thermo King is positioning AxlePower as a viable and scalable solution for fleets looking to future-proof their cold chain operations.
