{
    "name": "Refrigerated Truck Fuel Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/refrigerated-truck-fuel-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/refrigerated-truck-fuel-calculator.md",
    "category": "Logistics & transport",
    "description": "Estimate fuel and cost for a reefer trip: engine fuel from distance and L/100 km plus refrigeration-unit fuel from run hours and litres per hour.",
    "summary": "A reefer trip burns fuel twice: in the truck engine, by distance, and in the refrigeration unit, by the hours it runs. Add both to get the trip’s real fuel bill.",
    "also_called": [
        "Reefer fuel calculator",
        "Reefer trip fuel cost calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "distance",
            "label": "Trip distance",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "800",
            "unit": "km"
        },
        {
            "name": "consumption",
            "label": "Truck fuel consumption",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "32",
            "unit": "L/100 km"
        },
        {
            "name": "reefer_hours",
            "label": "Reefer unit running hours",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "14",
            "unit": "h"
        },
        {
            "name": "reefer_lph",
            "label": "Reefer fuel use",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "2.5",
            "unit": "L/h"
        },
        {
            "name": "price",
            "label": "Road fuel price",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "1.50",
            "unit": "/L"
        },
        {
            "name": "reefer_price",
            "label": "Reefer fuel price (if different)",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "",
            "unit": "/L",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "currency",
            "label": "Currency",
            "type": "currency",
            "default": "USD"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "cost",
            "label": "Trip fuel cost",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "total_litres",
            "label": "Total fuel",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "truck_litres",
            "label": "Truck engine fuel",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "reefer_litres",
            "label": "Reefer unit fuel",
            "format": "number"
        },
        {
            "key": "reefer_share",
            "label": "Reefer share of fuel",
            "format": "percent"
        },
        {
            "key": "cost_per_km",
            "label": "Fuel cost per km",
            "format": "decimal4"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Truck fuel = Distance × L/100 km ÷ 100;  Reefer fuel = Hours × L/h;  Cost = Truck fuel × Price + Reefer fuel × Reefer price",
        "variables": {
            "L/100 km": "truck consumption when loaded",
            "L/h": "reefer unit consumption at the set-point and ambient temperature"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "distance": "800",
            "consumption": "32",
            "reefer_hours": "14",
            "reefer_lph": "2.5",
            "price": "1.50",
            "reefer_price": "",
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "steps": [
            "Truck = 800 × 32 ÷ 100 = 256 L.",
            "Reefer = 14 × 2.5 = 35 L.",
            "Total = 291 L × 1.50 = 436.50; reefer share = 35 ÷ 291 = 12.03%."
        ],
        "result": "The 800 km reefer trip uses about 291 litres, costing 436.50, with the refrigeration unit taking 12% of the fuel."
    },
    "interpretation": "Reefer fuel rises with ambient temperature, door openings and lower set-points. Pre-cooling at a depot on mains power and shorter door-open times both cut it.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Consumption figures are trip averages."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Idling, AdBlue/DEF and electric standby are not included."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "How do I find my reefer’s litres per hour?",
            "answer": "Divide fuel added to the reefer tank by the hour-meter reading between fills, or check the unit’s telematics. Use figures from similar weather and set-points."
        },
        {
            "question": "Why a separate reefer fuel price?",
            "answer": "In some places reefer units can use differently taxed fuel. Enter that price if it applies to you."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Fuel Cost Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/fuel-cost-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Fleet Carbon Emissions Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/fleet-carbon-emissions-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Cold Chain Cooling Load Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/cold-chain-cooling-load-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}