Are Electric Reefers Worth It? 5 Benefits to Consider
The benefits of using Electric TRU’s are profound and center upon lower cost. But lower administrative burden, lower noise, and lower emissions also make it worth it to switch to electric reefers for your storage or stationary semi trailers. The upfront investment can be recovered in less than two years. There are some qualifiers though– to determine if they fit your application.
Main Takeaways
**Why the switch makes sense**
- Lower upfront cost, maintenance cost, and energy cost than diesel
- Minimal administrative burden — no fuel vendors, no fueling schedules
- Immediate availability through TRU and semi-trailer dealers; swapping an old diesel TRU for a new electric unit is a straightforward installation
**Qualifiers before you commit**
- Electric TRUs only operate while plugged in — suitable for stationary or storage trailers, not transport applications
- Site must have 3-phase power with either 220–240V or 440–480V service
1. No more diesel fuel to manage
Pulling diesel out of your reefer operation eliminates fuel procurement entirely. No vendor contracts, no internal fueling routes, no risk of a trailer running dry on a weekend.
The administrative savings aren’t always the biggest line item on a cost comparison — but they’re the one your operations team will feel every week.
2. Near-zero maintenance
Electric TRUs have no service parts in the traditional sense. The only routine wear item is the drive belt connecting the 3 HP electric motor to the evaporator fan — typically replaced once every five years. Compare that to diesel TRU maintenance intervals measured in hundreds of operating hours and you’re looking at an order-of-magnitude reduction in service calls, parts inventory, and downtime.
3. Access to restricted facilities, ports, and zones
Electric TRUs meet California CARB regulations, EPA refrigerant standards, and the noise and emissions rules in effect across most U.S. jurisdictions.
Practically, that means access. Ports, distribution centers, and urban logistics zones increasingly restrict or schedule-out diesel TRUs. Operators running electric units keep working in locations where diesel equipment is phased out, capacity-limited, or carries surcharges. Compliance isn’t just a box to check — it’s the difference between being able to stage a trailer on-site or not.
4. Stewardship, ESG, and available incentives
Electric TRUs produce zero direct emissions, improve air quality around your facility, and feed directly into ESG reporting goals.
Less talked about: electric TRUs are currently eligible for federal, state, and utility incentive programs — tax credits, rebates, and grants that can materially shorten the payback window beyond what fuel and maintenance savings deliver on their own. Availability varies significantly by state and utility territory, so it’s worth checking program eligibility before you scope a project.
5. Lower operating cost: electricity vs. diesel fuel
Electric TRUs pull about 7 kW. At typical commercial rates of $0.10–$0.30 per kWh, that works out to $0.70 to $2.10 per operating hour. Diesel TRUs burn roughly 1 gallon per hour at ~$4.00 per gallon — $4.00 per operating hour.
The gap compounds fast. A trailer running 2,000 hours per year saves roughly $3,800 to $6,600 in energy alone — before you account for fuel delivery, maintenance, or downtime.
Actual rates vary by region, time of day, and your utility’s rate structure. We’re happy to help you model the numbers for your site.
Calculate the ROI of switching from diesel
Free, interactive tool — adjust inputs to match your site and see real savings.
The ER-230 and ER-460 cover most stationary trailer configurations, and we can typically scope a site in a single visit to confirm power availability, installation approach, and incentive eligibility.