IIT Delhi graduate Shaivee Malik and her co‑founders have launched Yotuh Energy’s battery‑powered refrigeration system that operates without a truck’s engine. The technology promises up to 75% reduction in cooling expenses and a significant drop in CO₂ emissions for India’s cold‑chain logistics.

  • Yotuh Energy’s eRIL system runs on battery power, eliminating the need for a truck engine.
  • Potential reduction of refrigeration operating costs by up to 75%.
  • Annual CO₂ savings of 3‑36 tonnes per unit, depending on usage.

Introduction

New Delhi – Shaivee Malik, an IIT Delhi alumna, together with co‑founders Vivek Mahindrakar and Dharmik Bapodara, founded Yotuh Energy, a climate‑tech startup aiming to break the dependence of refrigerated trucks on diesel‑burning engines. Their solution keeps cargo cold even when the vehicle is stationary, delivering massive cost and environmental benefits.

From Formula Racing to Cold‑Chain Innovation

During her time at IIT Delhi, Malik raced with the AXLR8R Formula Student team, designing electric race cars. That hands‑on experience taught her hardware development, rapid problem‑solving, and translating concepts into market‑ready products—skills she now applies to cold‑chain logistics.

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Engine‑Free Refrigeration Technology

Yotuh’s eRIL (Electric Refrigeration for Intracity Logistics) system uses a dedicated battery pack to power refrigeration independently of the vehicle’s engine. Whether the truck stops, idles, or suffers a breakdown, the cooling continues uninterrupted. The system is retrofit‑compatible with both internal‑combustion and electric trucks.

Smart Cooling for India’s Last‑Mile Fleet

The solution targets small commercial vehicles that dominate India’s intracity delivery network. Adaptive cooling algorithms automatically adjust to operating conditions, while door sensors manage temperature spikes during frequent stops. Yotuh reports over 1,000 temperature‑sensitive deliveries covering more than 300,000 km, with 90‑95% temperature compliance.

Funding, Scale‑Up and Real‑World Deployments

Founded in 2022 and incubated at IIT Madras, Yotuh Energy raised INR 1.53 crore to accelerate product development, testing, and field operations. Deployments have already begun on Tata Ace last‑mile vehicles, especially for dairy and ice‑cream distribution, demonstrating the system’s versatility across fuel‑type trucks.

Broader Impact and Future Outlook

Beyond cost savings, Yotuh aims to democratize refrigerated transport for small operators who find conventional diesel‑based units prohibitively expensive. The company estimates each unit can save 3‑36 tonnes of CO₂ annually while cutting refrigeration running costs by up to 75%. As Malik puts it, “If a truck has to keep its engine running to keep food cold, why not eliminate that engine altogether?”

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that Yotuh Energy’s battery‑powered refrigeration could revolutionize India’s last‑mile logistics, cutting diesel demand and aligning with the nation’s Net‑Zero targets. By enabling idle‑free cooling, the technology not only slashes operational costs for thousands of small traders but also delivers measurable climate benefits.

“Battery‑driven cold‑chain solutions are the next frontier for sustainable logistics in emerging markets,” says Dr. Ananya Rao, senior fellow at the Indian Institute of Sustainable Development.
Did You Know?: The world’s first electric refrigeration unit was developed in the 1990s in the Netherlands, yet large‑scale adoption in India is only now gaining momentum.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Can the eRIL system be installed on existing diesel trucks?

Answer: Yes, the system is designed as a retrofit kit that works with both diesel‑powered and fully electric vehicles.

Question 2: What is the approximate cost of an eRIL unit?

Answer: Pricing varies with battery capacity and vehicle size, but Yotuh aims to keep the solution affordable for small‑scale operators.