Diesel Emissions Reduction Act
(DERA)Transport Refrigeration Unit
(TRU) Factsheet
What is a "reefer?"
Refrigerated, insulated cargo trailers, straight trucks, intermodal shipping containers,
and rail cars can all commonly be referred to as "reefers." It originates from the word
"refrigerated."
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TRUs are used for stationary operations to increase holiday and summer season cold storage capacity
at grocery stores.
Hybrid Electric TRU
In a hybrid electric TRU (also called a hybrid plug-in eTRU), the refrigerator's compressor is
driven solely by an electric motor. When over-the-road, electric power is supplied by an integral
diesel genset located within the TRU housing; when stationary (e.g., loading at a distribution
center), the hybrid electric TRU plugs-in to available electric grid shore power.
Standby Electric TRU
In a standby electric TRU (also called a standby plug-in eTRU), the refrigerator's compressor
is both mechanically driven by an integral diesel engine and electrically driven by an integral
electric motor. When over-the-road, the unit is powered by the diesel engine; when stationary,
the electric standby feature allows the TRU to be plugged into electrical power and the diesel
engine to be turned off.
What is a TRU generator set (genset)?
A TRU genset provides electric power to an all-electric TRU when the unit is not plugged into
ocean-going ship electric power or dock-side shore power.
• "Pin-on" TRU gensets are pinned onto the front of refrigerated shipping containers, just
above the container's built in all-electric refrigeration system.
• "Under-slung," or "belly mount" TRU gensets are clamped to the frame rails of intermodal
trailer chassis.
• A "powerpack" TRU genset consists of several diesel generators installed into a shipping
container, which then provides electric power to multiple refrigerated shipping containers
and are generally limited to railcar use and longer periods of transport.
What types of TRU projects are eligible under DERA?
Diesel powered TRUs and TRU gensets are eligible as nonroad equipment under DERA if the
existing engines meet the ownership, usage, and remaining life criteria defined in Section I.B.6 of
the Request for Applications. Additional project eligibly criteria is defined in Sections I.B.3,4, and
5, and are summarized below.
Replacement Projects:
• Removing the old, diesel-powered TRU from the truck or trailer, scrapping it, and install-
ing a new TRU, electric standby TRU, hybrid electric TRU, or all-electric TRU. EPA will
fund up to 25% of the cost of an eligible piece of equipment powered by an engine certi-
fied to EPA emission standards. EPA will fund up to 45% of the cost of an eligible zero
tailpipe emission piece of equipment. Please note that the 45% EPA funding is only eligible
if the new unit will operate solely on grid, battery, or other zero emission power sources.
eTRUs that will be powered by diesel engines or diesel gensets are only eligible for the 25%
EPA funding;
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• Scrapping the entire TRU-equipped trailer or shipping container and purchasing a new
trailer or shipping container with new, eligible TRU, eTRU, electric standby TRU or hybrid
electric TRU technology installed. New trailers can gain additional efficiencies and fuel
savings. EPA will fund up to 25% of the cost of an eligible piece of equipment powered by
an engine certified to EPA emission standards. EPA will fund up to 45% of the cost of an
eligible zero tailpipe emission piece of equipment. Please note that the 45% EPA funding
is only eligible if the new unit will operate solely on grid, battery, or other zero emission
power sources. eTRUs that will be powered by diesel engines or diesel gensets are only
eligible for the 25% EPA funding; or
• Scrapping a TRU genset and installing a new TRU genset. EPA will fund up to 25% of the
cost of an eligible TRU gen set powered by an engine certified to EPA emission standards.
Eligible costs for eTRUs replacement projects which operate solely on battery electric power
can include the purchase price of one charging unit per eTRU, including the unit and charging
cable, mount and/or pedestal. EPA will fund up to 45% of these eligible costs. Ineligible costs
include power distribution to the pedestal, electrical panels and their installation, upgrades
to existing electrical panels or electrical service, transformers and their installation, wiring/
conduit and its installation, electricity, operation and maintenance, stationary energy storage
systems that power the equipment (e.g., batteries) and their installation, and on-site power
generation systems that power the equipment (e.g., solar and wind power generation equip-
ment) and their installation.
Stationary TRU Replacement Projects:
• Scrapping TRU gen sets and running grid power to the refrigeration unit. Eligible costs
for grid electric powered equipment replacement projects can include the purchase and
installation of certain equipment required for power delivery directly related to the new
equipment. Eligible costs include design and engineering, electrical panels, upgrades to
existing electrical panels or electrical service, transformers, wiring/conduit, and installa-
tion. EPA will fund up to 45% of these eligible costs. Ineligible costs include power dis-
tribution to the property line, electricity, operation and maintenance, stationary energy
storage systems that power the equipment (e.g., batteries) and their installation, and on-site
power generation systems that power the equipment (e.g., solar and wind power generation
equipment) and their installation; or
• Scrapping a TRU, installing a new eTRU, and running grid power to the eTRU. Eligible
costs include the eTRU and the purchase and installation of certain equipment required
for power delivery directly related to the new equipment. Eligible costs include design and
engineering, electrical panels, upgrades to existing electrical panels or electrical service, trans-
formers, wiring/conduit, and installation. EPA will fund up to 45% of these eligible costs.
Ineligible costs include power distribution to the property line, electricity, operation and
maintenance, stationary energy storage systems that power the equipment (e.g., batteries)
and their installation, and on-site power generation systems that power the equipment
(e.g., solar and wind power generation equipment) and their installation.
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Electrified Parking Space (EPS) or Truck Stop Electrification (TSE) Projects:
EPSs provide off-board electrical power to operate a plug-in capable refrigeration system that
would otherwise be powered by an engine. Eligible costs include the purchase and installation
of the EPS unit, mount and/or pedestal, and plug-in cable and certain equipment required
for power delivery directly related to the new equipment. Eligible costs include design and
engineering, design and engineering, electrical panels, upgrades to existing electrical panels or
electrical service, transformers, wiring/conduit, and installation. EPA will fund up to 30% of
these eligible costs. Ineligible costs include power distribution to the property line, electricity,
operation and maintenance, stationary energy storage systems that power the equipment
(e.g., batteries) and their installation, and on-site power generation systems that power the
equipment (e.g., solar and wind power generation equipment) and their installation.
An EPS project may be implemented as a stand-alone project, as described above. Or, EPS may
be implemented in combination with the replacement of TRUs with electric standby TRUs or
hybrid electric TRUs. In this latter example, the EPS costs may be funded at 30% and the TRU
costs may be funded at 25%.
Please note that although DERA grant funds and matching funds cannot be used for stationary
energy storage systems that power the equipment (e.g., batteries) and their installation, and
DERA grant funds and matching funds cannot be used for on-site power generation systems
that power the equipment (e.g., solar and wind power generation equipment) and their installa-
tion, applicants and their partners may add these components at their own expense outside the
scope of the grant.
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