Zero emissions refrigeration systems on lorries could cut pollution from such trucks by more than 90%, claims new research.

The study by Dearman, a clean cold tech company, says fitting 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 emissions of particulate matter by 93% and reduce NOx emissions by 73%.

Dearman claims if all diesel refrigeration trucks were to become zero emission, then the cut in pollution would be the same as removing 5.5 million diesel cars off Britain’s roads.

Toby Peters, Chief Executive of Dearman said: “Companies have already invested billions 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.”

Dearman has come up with a system using liquid nitrogen to keep things cool and aims to field test it in commercial trials soon.