Eutectic Plates

Eutectic plates, also called cold plates or holdover plates, are sealed metal containers filled with a eutectic solution that can be frozen and then used as a passive cold source to maintain low temperatures inside delivery vehicles and insulated containers. The eutectic solution has a carefully calibrated freezing point that corresponds to the desired cargo temperature, allowing the plates to absorb heat energy and release cold energy steadily over an extended period.

The eutectic plates are charged by placing them in a freezer overnight, where the solution freezes solid. When loaded into a delivery vehicle or container the next morning, the frozen plates gradually absorb heat from the cargo space as the solution melts, maintaining a consistent temperature for 8 to 16 hours depending on the ambient conditions and the number of plates used. Once depleted, the plates are returned to the freezer for recharging.

Advantages for Urban Delivery

Eutectic plate systems are particularly popular for urban delivery operations where noise restrictions, emission regulations, or vehicle size constraints make diesel-powered reefer units impractical. Electric delivery vans and box trucks equipped with eutectic plate systems can make dozens of stops delivering chilled products to restaurants, grocery stores, and consumers without the noise, exhaust, or fuel consumption of a conventional reefer unit.

The initial investment in a eutectic plate system is higher than a conventional reefer unit, but the ongoing operating costs are significantly lower because the plates are recharged using grid electricity rather than diesel fuel. For fleets making predictable daily delivery routes with a return to base each evening, eutectic systems offer excellent total cost of ownership and environmental performance while maintaining reliable temperature control.