Electric Freight Gains Traction in Europe, But the Road Remains Uneven

By Eva Richardson – The Logistic News

Across Europe, the quiet hum of electric freight vehicles is beginning to replace the roar of diesel engines. What once sounded like a distant ambition is now materializing in transport hubs and logistics yards, as battery-electric trucks begin to take their place in the commercial fleet.

The change is slow, but it’s real. And for the companies involved, it represents more than a shift in equipment—it’s a transformation in how road freight is financed, powered, and organized.

Performance Without Emissions

At the heart of the movement are trucks with ranges that now exceed 500 kilometers under real-world conditions. This makes them suitable for regional distribution, especially on routes with fixed distances and established stops. Several operators are already running these vehicles on daily loops between warehouses, ports, and rail terminals.

“The range is no longer the barrier it was three years ago,” says Pierre Nowak, fleet manager at a French logistics cooperative. “We can easily cover 300 to 400 kilometers in a day, recharge overnight, and repeat the next morning.”

Manufacturers such as Volvo, Renault Trucks, and MAN have all introduced electric heavy-duty models now in active service. Orders remain modest compared to diesel, but the trend is accelerating, pushed by regulation and pulled by reputation.

The Infrastructure Bottleneck

Despite progress, the rollout faces one obvious obstacle: charging infrastructure. While passenger EV networks have expanded rapidly, the same cannot be said for freight. High-capacity chargers for trucks are still rare outside of depot installations.

European policymakers have pledged to fund a network of over 1,700 public charging stations for trucks by 2027. But as of spring 2025, implementation is uneven. In some countries, not a single megawatt-capable charger is operational along long-haul corridors.

This forces operators to build private infrastructure or restrict electric routes to areas within depot range. The result is a fragmented network—one where the truck is ready, but the road isn’t.

Money, Policy, and Pressure

Electric trucks are still more expensive to purchase—often double the price of a comparable diesel model. However, the total cost over time is narrowing. Electricity remains cheaper than fuel, and electric drivetrains require far less maintenance.

Governments are closing the gap through subsidies, tax credits, and toll reductions. Some cities are also making diesel access harder, banning older vehicles from entering low-emission zones—an indirect but effective push toward electric alternatives.

“Every policy lever is pushing us in the same direction,” says Anna Keller, who manages compliance for a regional haulier based in Germany. “Within five years, running diesel in cities will be a regulatory headache.”

Beyond the Vehicle

Operators adopting electric trucks report new challenges that go beyond batteries and range. Drivers must adapt to new braking behavior and loading patterns. Maintenance crews need retraining. Route planners have to consider charging times when scheduling deliveries.

In short, it’s not a vehicle swap—it’s a new operating model.

For those who’ve taken the leap, the benefits are tangible. Quieter operations, better public perception, and long-term savings are all cited as gains.

A Future Taking Shape

Electric freight still represents a fraction of Europe’s road transport sector. But it’s growing. And it’s no longer driven by novelty—it’s driven by planning.

“We’re not experimenting anymore,” says Nowak. “We’re adjusting, scaling, and trying to stay ahead of a change that’s no longer optional.”

For the industry, the message is clear: the technology is here. The infrastructure is catching up. The only real variable left is how quickly the rest of the system will follow.

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