IIT Delhi truck fridge technology is addressing a major challenge in India’s cold-chain sector by allowing refrigerated vehicles to keep cargo cold without running their main engines. The system was developed by IIT Delhi alumna Shaivee Malik and her co-founders at climate-tech startup Yotuh Energy. The independent refrigeration unit uses a lithium-ion battery and can operate for around six to eight hours on a single charge. Unlike conventional systems that rely on a truck’s engine, the technology can continue cooling when vehicles are stationary, stuck in traffic or facing an engine breakdown. The system is claimed to reduce refrigeration running costs by around 75% while lowering diesel consumption and carbon emissions. Each unit could potentially avoid 3–36 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, depending on usage. The innovation could help to reduce food wastage while making India’s cold-chain transportation more efficient and sustainable.
IIT Delhi Truck Fridge: Cooling Costs Cut by 75%
