Information regarding mobile refrigeration

Interesting facts, tips and important norms in an overview: important information regarding mobile refrigeration systems can be found summarised here.

Temperatures for your mobile refrigeration systems

In cold chain logistics, everything is a matter of the correct temperature. For this reason, you should transport goods in accordance with their target temperatures when delivering them in your refrigerated vehicle. In addition, we also give out general guidance for proper refrigeration during transportation.

Frozen foods, especially fish, should usually be transported at a consistent -18 °C. Frozen foods such as egg products, meat and cooking fats remain in perfect condition between -14 °C and -10 °C.

Chilled goods are not frozen. Nevertheless, fresh fish and crabs (2 °C), meat and sausage as well as products containing eggs (3 °C) should be stored in the refrigerated vehicle at close to freezing point. Milk, cream and cheese are less delicate with regard to refrigeration during transport (4 °C).

Non-refrigerated goods – such as fruit and vegetables, but also including flowers and bulbs – should also be kept fresh within the context of refrigerated transport. Temperatures between 4 °C and 8 °C are recommended here. All Webasto mobile refrigeration systems feature precise temperature settings and ensure that the corresponding storage conditions are adhered to.

Tips for your mobile refrigeration systems

Good refrigeration is half the battle: a few details need to be borne in mind so that your goods reach the end of the delivery chain in cold chain logistics in the best possible condition.
Here are a few tips regarding your refrigerated vehicle:

1. Curtains closed for freshness
Prevent heat from entering by using curtains in your refrigerated vehicle, especially with frequent deliveries in urban areas, and save energy too. 

2. Cool places
It is better to park a refrigerated vehicle in the shade when hot outside.

3. Heat occasionally
Refrigerated transport of non-refrigerated goods should be kept within the optimum temperature range of between 4 °C and 8 °C on cold winter days with one of Webasto’s heating solutions.

4. Cool loading
When loading the refrigerated vehicle, keep a cool head: do not turn off the evaporator and allow the air to circulate optimally – even on the ground!

5. Fixed defrosting
An automatic de-icing function is available for quickly de-icing the evaporator. The defrosting process is so quick and efficient that the temperature in the refrigerated area is not affected. This function is especially useful in cases of high humidity and frequent opening of the refrigerated area.

6. Staying on top of it
Webasto refrigeration solutions are low-maintenance. We recommend frequent inspections in accordance with the stated intervals. Webasto has a large network of dealers for this purpose.

Norms in cold chain logistics

The ATP is an agreement regarding international transport of perishable foodstuffs. On the one hand, it determines the test conditions for assigning a refrigerated vehicle or a mobile refrigeration system into classes. On the other hand, it determines transport temperatures for cold chain logistics.

A refrigerated vehicle is tested with an average outside temperature of 30 °C and can achieve the following classes:

Class A – Temperatures from 12 °C to 0 °C
Class B – Temperatures from 12 °C to -10 °C
Class C – Temperatures from 12 °C to -20 °C


Performance of mobile refrigeration solutions is determined by an approved testing centre. During the test, the refrigerated vehicle must keep the temperature under the lowest value of the relevant class for 12 hours. During this, a heat load of 35% of the heat penetrating into the cargo area is added.

As expected, all Webasto mobile refrigeration products are ATP-certified.

All refrigerated vehicles and the relevant mobile refrigeration systems must only be operated with an identification tag and a valid approval certificate. Further information regarding labelling can be obtained from the relevant TÜV test centre.