For chilled & frozen distribution
Refrigerated van leasing
Yes, limited companies and LLPs lease refrigerated vans from FleetMe on business contract hire. Chilled and frozen are different conversions with different insulation, and both cut payload against a standard panel van. Sole traders hire over terms up to 12 months instead.
Get my van quote →Updated 14 October 2026 · your agreement is with FleetMe
A fridge van is not a panel van with a cooler in it. The insulation, the lining, the fridge unit and the evaporator are all part of a conversion that is specified for a temperature range, and getting that range wrong is expensive in two directions, an under-specified van cannot hold temperature, an over-specified one costs you payload and money you did not need to spend.
Chilled or frozen: which conversion do you need?
Chilled work and frozen work need different insulation thicknesses and different fridge capacity. In England and Wales, food that needs temperature control must generally be held at 8°C or below, and frozen goods far lower again (Food Standards Agency, chilling food correctly in your business, 2026). The conversion is built for the range you actually operate in. Multi-temperature conversions with a bulkhead let you run chilled and frozen in one van, at the cost of complexity and usable space. Tell us the temperature range, the door-opening frequency and the ambient conditions you work in, and the specification is set out in your quote rather than guessed at.
Direct drive or electric standby?
A direct-drive unit runs off the engine, which is fine for a van that is moving all day but does nothing when it is parked. An electric standby unit lets you plug into mains overnight or during a long stop and hold temperature without idling, which matters for early loading and for depot storage. Standby adds cost and weight. So does insulation: a fridge conversion can take a substantial share of a van's payload before you load a single crate, which is why chilled operators so often end up a size larger than they first planned. Ask for the payload figure of the converted vehicle, not the base van.
How does the conversion sit inside the contract?
A refrigerated van is a converted asset, so the conversion is part of what we supply and what is written into your agreement, including its condition at the end of the term. If you want changes to a vehicle we already supply, they need our written agreement first. Operationally, the discipline that protects you is record-keeping: temperature logs, a pre-cooled van before loading, and strict door discipline on a multi-drop round. A fridge unit holds temperature; it will not pull warm stock back down quickly on a hot day.
Not a limited company?
Business contract hire is for limited companies and LLPs. If you trade as a sole trader, or you want the vehicle in your own name, what we can supply is vehicle hire of up to 12 months instead. Incorporating is the step that opens up business contract hire over terms up to 12 months, which is why plenty of tradespeople do it before taking on a van.
Get a written quote
Tell us the vehicle, the mileage and how long you need it for. We come back with a written quote, and we aim to do that the same working day. We confirm which agreement applies before anything is signed.
- ✓ Your agreement is with FleetMe
- ✓ We confirm your quote in writing
- ✓ Business rentals quoted ex VAT, with VAT shown
Enquiry received, one step to go.
We can put a guide figure together from what you’ve told us. To confirm the vehicle, the monthly rental and a delivery date in writing, we need your business details and the underwriting information.
Next step · about 5 minutes
Complete your business application
It’s pre-filled from your answers. Nothing is committed until we confirm your quote and you sign.
Continue to my application →No obligation · About 5 minutes
Prefer to leave it there? We’ll still be in touch about your enquiry.
The bigger picture: UK van market figures
Source: SMMT, 2025
Source: SMMT, 2025
Source: BVRLA Leasing Outlook, 2026
UK market figures from the sources named on each card, not FleetMe's own results.
Common questions
Does a fridge conversion reduce how much I can carry?
Yes, meaningfully. The insulation, lining and fridge equipment all count against payload, and thicker insulation for frozen work costs more again. Always compare the payload of the converted vehicle rather than the base van.
What is the difference between direct drive and standby?
Direct drive runs off the engine and only cools while the van runs. Electric standby lets you plug into mains to hold temperature when parked or overnight. Standby costs more and weighs more, and it is essential for some operations.
Can I run chilled and frozen in the same van?
A multi-temperature conversion with a moveable bulkhead can do it. You lose some usable space and pay for the complexity, so it is worth being honest about how often you genuinely need both at once.
Can I have my own fridge unit fitted to a leased van?
Any conversion or fitted equipment needs our written agreement before work starts, because the vehicle is our asset. Raise it at quote stage and it becomes part of the specification and the contract.
Can a sole trader get a refrigerated van?
Contract hire is for limited companies and LLPs, so a sole trader would be on hire of up to 12 months. A converted fridge van really belongs on the longer route, which is a good reason to talk to your accountant about incorporating.
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