The electrification of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) is accelerating across Europe as the continent races to meet decarbonization targets. The EU aims to reduce emissions from HDVs by 45% by 2030, with zero-emission trucks expected to account for 15% of the vehicle fleet. This article takes a deep dive into the latest developments in the electrification of HDVs, analyses the deployment of infrastructure and the main charging point operators, and explores the challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of sustainable heavy-duty transport in Europe.
Growing Electric Truck Market
The European heavy-duty vehicle market is booming. According to ICCT, zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) accounted for 4% of total HDV (trucks, buses and coaches) sales in the third quarter of 2024. This is a significant increase from the 3.2% reported in the first quarter, indicating that the penetration of electric trucks, buses and coaches is increasing. In the third quarter of 2024, the sales share of light- and medium-duty electric trucks even reached 10%, compared to only 6% in 2023.
A 2022 PwC study predicts that by 2030, the total cost of ownership (TCO) of electric trucks will be 30% lower than that of internal combustion engine trucks. This makes electric trucks an economically viable option for road freight, especially when combined with the environmental benefits of reduced emissions.
The latest map of electric truck HGV charging stations reveals a clear trend: most charging stations are concentrated along major highways, forming a diagonal route from northern Sweden to southern France. This strategic layout facilitates low-carbon freight transport on major logistics corridors. Countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are leading this trend with widespread deployment of HGV charging infrastructure.
Post time: Jun-14-2025