As Tesla Hibernates, Other Electric Trucks Grow Globally (Part 2)

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After China, we tackle the larger European markets and touch on Asia’s electric truck scene.

Europe’s electric truck market, while not as explosive as China’s numbers, is built on a strong foundation of ambitious climate goals. It is also firmly grounded on a robust roster of legacy truck brands who have committed to electrification.

An ICCT report called the “European Heavy-Duty Vehicle Market Development (January–March 2025)” pointed out that in Q1 2025, electric heavy trucks in the EU grew by 50.6%. That secures electric Euro HD trucks a 3.5% share of the total truck market. That’s up by 2% in Q1 2024. For trucks above 12 tons, the zero-emission sales share increased to 1.5% in Q1 2025, from 1.0% in Q1 2024. More than 10,000 electric trucks were sold across Europe in 2023, with Germany being the top buyer.

Leading the charge are the traditional truckmakers Volvo Trucks, Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz), Renault Trucks, MAN, Scania, IVECO, and DAF. Volvo Trucks holds a 36.5% market with Renault Trucks contributing another 23.6%.

Two Swedes Lead The Electric Truck Race In The EU

Scania launched its first battery-electric truck in 2020, initially focusing on rigid trucks for urban operations. As of early 2024, the Swedish truck maker has introduced more electric machine options, axle configurations (including 6×4 bogie axles for enhanced traction in applications like tippers, hook lifts, and concrete mixers), and various cab alternatives. They also offer a number of power take-off (PTO) solutions, which are crucial for operating auxiliary equipment on construction or municipal vehicles.

Volvo Trucks has maintained its position as the market leader in the heavy-duty electric truck segment (16 tonnes and above) in Europe for the fifth consecutive year. At the end of 2024, the company held a commanding 47% market share. In 2024, 1,970 electric Volvo trucks were registered in Europe — in Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Switzerland.

Daimler has made significant strides in electrifying its diverse truck portfolio under brands like Mercedes-Benz Trucks (Europe), Freightliner (North America), and Fuso (Asia).Their strategy focuses on a combination of different electric powertrains (BEV and eventually FCEV), a wide range of applications, and robust charging solutions. Daimler Truck, for both EV and ICE powertrains, is the world’s largest truck manufacturer.

The strategy among European manufacturers focuses on stringent EU CO2 emission standards. EU laws mandate a 45% reduction by 2030, 65% by 2035, and 90% by 2040. Massive targets, which unfortunately not the whole US or China applies. This standard now acts as powerful catalysts for fleet electrification.

Many European electric heavy-duty trucks prioritize regional and urban distribution, where average ranges of around 330-500 kilometers (205-310 miles) on a single charge are often sufficient. There are on going projects looking at battery swapping but most are planned for public transport and trucks in the mining industry. For heavy trucks and long haulers a proven a practical approach is end-to-end fast chargers that leverages current battery technology effectively.

High-power charging infrastructure, like the Kempower Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) capable of delivering up to 3.5 megawatts is now part of future long-haul operations plans.

Charging On The Road

Then there is the pantograph system over highways in Germany’s A5 motorway near Frankfurt which will be extended by almost 7km, while Scania is to provide 7 more pantograph-equipped trucks to operate on the electrified motorway.

Researchers in RWTH Aachen University have also created a retrofit pantograph system. The pantograph makes it possible to charge the vehicle’s battery while driving via an overhead catenary line, which can reduce battery size and increase operational flexibility.

The project, started in February last year, was a collaboration with the university and DAF Trucks N.V.

Two DAF XD electric trucks were used in the prototype. The trucks were installed with the newly developed pantograph system and demonstrated on the Siemens eHighway test track in Groß Dölln on August 20, 2024.

Not only a retrofit solution for pantograph systems, the whole project also studied and recommended existing interfaces for easy integration into standard electric trucks from various manufacturers. This standardization process, part of EU regulations, address the many charging systems of e-trucks. Pantograph charging is a form of dynamic charging that doesn’t require regenerative braking. It also creates an additional option alongside stationary charging.

Scania is a key player in the development and testing of pantograph-equipped electric trucks.  Also known as catenary trucks, Scania’s development led to the development of e-highways. This is a very different approach to electrification compared to purely battery-electric trucks that rely solely on charging stations.

Analysis suggests that electric heavy-duty trucks in Europe can achieve an 11% cost advantage in long-haul scenarios over diesel due to lower energy, maintenance, and toll costs, further driving adoption.

Japan & Korea

Beyond the West, Asian markets are also making strides on a smaller scale for heavy-duty electric trucks. Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia are witnessing increasing activity, often driven by a mix of domestic manufacturers and a growing awareness of environmental concerns.

In Japan, Fuso (a subsidiary of Daimler Truck with its eCanter light-duty electric truck) and the Toyota-led Hino are active in developing and deploying electric commercial vehicles, though their heavy-duty electric truck volumes remain modest compared to the market leaders. Isuzu has also presented its heavy duty own e-truck, the NRR E-series.

South Korean giants Hyundai and Kia are also investing in electric commercial vehicle technology, with Hyundai notably delivering hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks, such as the Xcient FCEV, to European markets, showcasing an alternative pathway for long-range zero-emission transport.

While specific heavy-duty electric truck sales figures for these nations are often aggregated within broader EV statistics, their overall electric vehicle production is growing. In 2024, Asia Pacific countries (excluding China) produced about 1 million electric cars, mostly from incumbent carmakers in Japan and Korea, reflecting a growing capability in EV manufacturing that extends to commercial vehicles.

And in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asian countries, like the Philippines, are seeing a gradual introduction of electric trucks, with local subsidiaries of global brands and emerging regional players taking initial steps. While the heavy-duty segment is still nascent, there is a strong focus on electrifying light and medium commercial vehicles and buses, often with Chinese brands aggressively gaining market share due to competitive pricing and rapid deployment of charging and manufacturing infrastructure within the region.

For instance, Chinese OEMs are establishing manufacturing plants in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, signaling future growth potential.

China’s rapid, diverse, and battery-swapping-centric approach contrasts sharply with Europe’s regulatory-driven, regionally focused, and established OEM-led transition. Both regions are actively and successfully electrifying their truck fleets with real, tangible results, having already deployed tens of thousands of units.

If Tesla continues its hibernation. It might wake up to an avalanche of e-trucks which it might drown it in a storm of battery and drivetrain technology.