Electric trucks beat diesel on running costs across most EU markets, study finds

A new analysis from Transport & Environment (T&E) has concluded that battery-electric heavy trucks now cost less to run than diesel models in six of the nine major European markets examined. Those six countries together represent 46 per cent of all new heavy trucks registered in the EU, giving the finding broad commercial weight.

In the Netherlands and Germany, five-year savings are projected to reach €100,000 and €85,000 respectively, with the trucks effectively paying for themselves inside two years. Imported Chinese electric trucks perform even better on the ledger, lifting Dutch five-year savings to €128,000 largely because of their lower sticker prices. If diesel prices were to spike again — for instance through disruption around the Strait of Hormuz — the figures for European-built electric trucks could climb to €123,000 in the Netherlands and €106,000 in Germany.

T&E expects that with the right policy settings, electric trucks could become the cheaper option in all nine countries studied by 2030, even if purchase subsidies are trimmed or removed entirely. “Europe’s truckers are on the front line of the diesel crisis,” said Stef Cornelis, the group’s director of freight and fleets, arguing that the case for switching has never been stronger but that manufacturers and governments must help hauliers make the jump.

The organisation is pressing Brussels on three fronts: preserving the current heavy-duty vehicle CO2 standards, which call for a 43 per cent reduction by 2030; extending CO2-based tolling across Italy, France, Spain and Portugal while exempting zero-emission trucks from tolls through 2031; and continuing public support for depot and public charging alongside faster grid and permitting work. Cornelis added that truck makers should focus on scaling up e-truck output to bring upfront prices down rather than lobbying to weaken the rules, warning that stable policy is essential if European manufacturers are to hold their ground against Chinese rivals and the Tesla Semi.