Swiss Dairy Firm Adopts Battery-Powered Cooling Trailers

Swiss dairy processor Emmi Schweiz is taking a new approach to cutting emissions from its cold-chain logistics. The company has added three refrigerator trailers equipped with integrated battery packs, supplied by Nivalis Energy Europe, now in service on active delivery runs. With this setup, the trailers’ cooling units draw power from their own batteries, allowing the electric tractors to use their full energy capacity for driving.

This move is part of Emmi’s broader sustainability strategy to reduce the carbon footprint of its transport fleet. The system decouples refrigeration from the truck’s powertrain, solving a common challenge in refrigerated electric transport, where cooling can significantly reduce driving range. While the company aims to lower its environmental impact, these trailers also help maintain efficiency and reliability in daily deliveries.

The deployment highlights a practical solution for fleets needing both electric drive and temperature-controlled cargo. By self-powering refrigeration, the trailers enable longer routes and more consistent operations, which could influence how other dairy and food distributors approach their refrigerated electrification.