Dagab Leads the Decarbonization of Cold Chain Transport in Sweden

Dagab, part of the Axfood Group, continues to redefine how food moves across Sweden. With a clear commitment to climate-neutral transport by 2030 and fossil-free operations since 2025, Dagab is taking another decisive step: the electrification of its refrigerated drawbars, removing the last diesel-dependent component in its distribution model. 

In collaboration with Carrier Transicold Sweden, Addvolt, 570000 Sweden, SKAB Gruppen and Norfrig, Dagab has introduced fully electric refrigeration systems across its transport fleet. Now they have successfully proved that efficiency, reliability and climate responsibility can go hand-in-hand, a milestone for both Swedish retail and the broader Nordic logistics ecosystem. 

Dagab has spent recent years systematically reducing emissions by introducing electric transport refrigeration units (TRUs) powered by Carrier Transicold’s Eco-Drive and Power Box systems, complemented by the deployment of fully electric trucks across its fleet. These measures have already reduced fossil fuels from Dagab’s primary truck operations. 

However, the company’s distribution model relies heavily on the combination of a truck and drawbar configuration to maintain flexibility between logistics hubs. While the trucks had already transitioned to electric refrigeration, the drawbar’s diesel-powered cooling unit remained one of the last sources of fossil fuel consumption in the cold chain. 

Electrifying the drawbars became the next logical step and the final piece in achieving a completely electrified cold chain. With Addvolt’s Powerpack system integrated into the drawbars and connected seamlessly to Carrier Transicold’s electric refrigeration units, Dagab now operates a fully electric truck and drawbar configuration without compromising autonomy, cooling capacity or operational reliability. 

“Electrifying the drawbars completes a transformation we have worked toward for years,” said Krister Kjellström, Transport Director at Dagab. “With diesel fully removed from our cold chain, we combine sustainability with reliability and operational strength. This step reinforces our responsibility to deliver Sweden’s most sustainable and modern food logistics.” 

This shift is especially significant for an organization that moves more than 600,000 packages daily and manages one of the most advanced logistics networks in Scandinavia. By removing diesel from every transport configuration, Dagab reinforces its leadership in sustainable, high-performance and secure food logistics advancing the broader Swedish transition toward renewable urban transport. 

The Addvolt Powerpack ensures that the drawbar operates entirely on electric power, enabling silent, stable and uninterrupted cooling throughout the delivery cycle. It supports continuous cold chain integrity, a non-negotiable requirement for Dagab’s temperature-sensitive goods, while reducing operating costs and eliminating unnecessary mechanical wear associated with traditional diesel engines. 

Because the system operates quietly and without emissions, Dagab’s trucks can now enter many low-emission zones (LEZ) and noise-restricted areas at any time of day or night. Electrification strengthens not only sustainability but also operational flexibility, urban accessibility and customer delivery quality.

Since transitioning to fully electric drawbar refrigeration, Dagab has already recorded significant reductions in emissions and fuel use. The electrification of the cold chain has prevented diesel consumption across the fleet and avoided substantial carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and nitrogen oxide (Nox) particulate emissions, contributing to cleaner and quieter deliveries across Swedish cities. The operations now run with PIEK-certified silent performance and end-to-end operational traceability, offering drivers a smoother and more comfortable working environment. 

Dagab’s transport team monitors daily operations with the My Addvolt platform, which provides real-time insights into battery levels, energy consumption and system performance across the refrigerated fleet. The platform’s data-driven reporting makes it possible to optimize fleet utilization, strengthen cold chain compliance and identify opportunities to further reduce energy use in Dagab’s multi-regional distribution network. 

Since implementation, the fully electric configuration has resulted in nearly 200,000 litres of diesel avoided and more than 503,000 kilograms of CO₂ emissions prevented. These gains reinforce that full cold chain electrification delivers both the autonomy and stability required for transporting temperature-controlled goods, ensuring continuity, reliability and peace of mind for Dagab and its partners. 

“Our drivers felt the difference immediately,” said Pedro Gonçalves, Fleet Manager at Dagab. “The operation is quieter, smoother and more predictable.  With My Addvolt, we can follow the performance of our vehicles in real time, making our planning more efficient and strengthening the security of every refrigerated delivery.”

As part of the Axfood Group, Dagab is accelerating the shift toward fossil-free, smart and efficient logistics, proving that sustainability and reliability can strengthen both profitability and resilience across the value chain. By electrifying its truck and drawbar configuration, Dagab sets a new benchmark for cold chain transport in the Nordic region, demonstrating that fully electric refrigeration is not only technically viable but operationally beneficial, a scalable model for European retailers aiming to advance their decarbonization strategies. 

At its state-of-the-art logistics center in Bålsta, these innovations represent more than technological progress. They are part of a broader transformation. By combining automation, digitalization and electrification, Dagab continues to lead Sweden’s transition toward a sustainable and future -ready cold chain. 

“This project with Dagab reflects a clear and forward-looking strategy for sustainable cold chain transport in Sweden,” said Jan Skjoldby, Managing Director of Carrier Transicold Scandinavia. “We have been able to integrate high-voltage electric refrigeration technology that delivers the performance, reliability and uptime that Dagab requires in daily operations. It’s a strong example of how the right collaboration can accelerate the transition to cleaner, quieter and more energy-efficient transport solutions across the region.,”  

“Working with Dagab shows how electrification can be scaled effectively when ambition meets technology,” said Rodrigo Pires, Commercial Director of Addvolt. “Together with Dagab and our collaborators in Sweden, we are proving that a cleaner and more economically resilient cold chain is not a distant future vision. It is happening now.” 

Dagab’s message is clear: electrification works, it scales, and it strengthens the resilience of Sweden’s food supply chain. Today and for the future. 

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About Dagab
Dagab is a leading Swedish purchasing and logistics company and a core part of the Axfood Group, one of the largest food retail players in the Nordic region. The company is responsible for managing the full product flow across the group. From assortment strategy and supplier sourcing to warehousing, distribution, and transport.
>With a nationwide logistics network, Dagab supplies thousands of stores, independent retailers, and e-commerce customers across Sweden, ensuring that food and everyday goods are delivered efficiently, reliably, and at scale.
At the heart of Dagab’s role is the ability to integrate purchasing power with advanced logistics capabilities. By centralizing procurement and optimizing distribution, the company enables competitive pricing, consistent product availability, and streamlined operations for retail chains such as Willys and Hemköp.
Dagab also plays a key role in driving innovation and sustainability within the food supply chain. From developing private-label product ranges to investing in automation and environmentally responsible logistics solutions, the company is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable, and sustainable food to millions of consumers every day.

About Carrier Transicold
Carrier Transicold helps improve transport and shipping of temperature-controlled cargoes with a complete line of equipment and services for refrigerated transport and cold chain visibility. For more than 50 years, Carrier Transicold has been an industry leader, providing customers around the world with advanced, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable container refrigeration systems and generator sets, direct-drive and diesel truck units, and trailer refrigeration systems. Carrier Transicold is a part of Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, committed to creating innovations that bring comfort, safety and sustainability to life.

About Addvolt
Addvolt develops plug-in electric solutions that electrify and decarbonize auxiliary systems in heavy-duty vehicles like trailers, trucks, and vans—cutting up to 20 tons of CO₂ per vehicle each year. Our Addvolt Powerpacks and Power Units power refrigeration units, pumps, and other equipment with zero-emission, silent, and cost-efficient operation.
Through our My Addvolt platform, fleets gain real-time energy monitoring and valuable ESG insights. With over 1,500 systems in use across 20+ countries, Addvolt is enabling smarter, cleaner logistics worldwide.

#addvolt Over 11 Years Driving Change.
Building a Smart and Sustainable Transport Worldwide.
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