The logistics sector worldwide is undergoing an unprecedented shift toward electrification, with electric truck sales surging 35% in 2023 compared to 2022. This transformation comes as no surprise, driven by ambitious environmental policies, declining costs, and corporate decarbonization goals that collectively propel the industry toward sustainable alternatives.
However, the pace of electrification varies significantly between short-haul and long-distance transportation. Long-haul operations require more frequent charging, making infrastructure development critical. While industries explore innovative solutions to meet growing demand, providing sufficient power to charging stations and managing associated costs remain the most substantial barriers to fleet electrification.
Data reveals that road transport accounts for 12.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, positioning electrification as a powerful decarbonization lever. Consequently, businesses are prioritizing this transition. In the Logistics Trend Radar report, electrification ranked as the 13th most significant trend this year, with 17% of logistics decision-makers considering it relevant to their operations. Interest varies by sector—24% among fashion and lifestyle executives versus just 10% in perishable goods industries.
Trucks typically travel ten times farther annually than passenger vehicles, making heavy-duty decarbonization particularly complex. Hydrogen-powered trucks face dim prospects due to substantially higher purchase and operating costs compared to rapidly declining electric truck prices. Global sales projections appear promising, especially in China which captured 70% of 2023's worldwide electric truck market—though this represents a slight decline from 2022. Meanwhile, Europe nearly tripled its electric truck sales to over 10,000 units.
The United States similarly saw a threefold sales increase to 1,200 electric trucks, yet this constitutes less than 0.1% of total truck sales. This trajectory may accelerate under new U.S. heavy-duty emissions regulations targeting 60% zero-emission vehicle adoption across market segments.
The European Union's CO₂ standards for heavy vehicles aim for 90% reductions by 2040, further incentivizing electrification. Recent EU legislation mandates public charging stations along highways and in major cities by 2030, though long-haul infrastructure remains inadequate.
Research indicates long-distance electric trucks require charging approximately every four hours. Most fleets prefer scheduled charging during rest periods or cargo operations rather than at public truck stops, as highway charging could add an hour to transit times—potentially increasing logistics costs by 20%, an untenable burden for many operators.
Strategic charging solutions therefore become essential for fleet electrification, with three priority approaches:
- Overnight charging: Ideal for delivery vehicles with predictable daily energy needs
- Destination charging: Utilizing warehouse and distribution center downtime during loading/unloading
- Mid-route charging: Scheduled charging at specialized facilities during planned breaks
Several companies are advancing charging infrastructure. One firm launched its first UK electric truck charging facility in 2023, with European expansion planned. California's regulations requiring electric container trucks by 2035 and heavy-duty electric trucks by 2045 are spurring infrastructure investments. Southern California's largest heavy-duty electric vehicle charging station debuted in 2024, powered by the nation's biggest electric truck microgrid to bypass lengthy grid upgrade delays.
Nevertheless, power supply challenges persist, including exorbitant connection fees and extended grid wait times. Some logistics firms contemplate relocating warehouses nearer to power sources, emphasizing close collaboration with grid operators.
Securing high-capacity electrical connections emerges as the primary bottleneck for electrification. Connection costs for large facilities can exceed £100 million, while protracted wait times threaten companies' ability to meet 2035 or 2040 electrification targets.
Successful fleet electrification requires unprecedented cooperation between businesses, grid operators, governments, regulators, and private entities. The potential benefits are substantial—dramatic emissions reductions, improved air quality, and noise pollution mitigation. While electric trucks currently excel in short-haul applications, battery technology advancements and charging infrastructure development promise expanded long-haul viability.
Looking ahead, declining electric truck costs, lighter and more energy-dense batteries, and improved charging networks will enable electric vehicles to assume more logistics responsibilities. Within five years, significantly lower operating costs should make electrification financially compelling, transitioning long-haul electrification from experimental to operational phases.
Companies like Maersk are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all transport modes and logistics centers, targeting significant reductions by 2030 and net-zero operations by 2040. As the electrification journey continues, Maersk actively explores opportunities to support this transformation.
