Report studies emissions impact of refrigerated transport

Diesel transport refrigeration units transporting perishable goods can emit up to 29 times as much particulate matter and six times as much nitrogen oxides (NOx) as a Euro 6 truck engine, according to a new report by clean cold technology specialist Dearman.

The air quality impact of such units in the EU, which are estimated to number one million, could be equivalent to that of up to 56 million diesel cars, according to the report, entitled Liquid Air on the European Highway.

Discussing the report, Dearman CEO Professor Toby Peters said: “This is the first time that the environmental cost of transport refrigeration has been quantified, and the results have been shocking.

“With 400,000 people dying prematurely every year in the EU as a result of air pollution, we simply cannot afford to ignore these hidden polluters any longer. Awareness is growing in the UK and the policy landscape just beginning to change, but action is needed now to prevent further environmental damage.”

Dearman is to trial a zero-emission transport refrigeration system in the UK later this year, powered by liquid nitrogen. European trials are slated to follow next year, before commercial manufacture begins in 2017.