The logistics industry is undergoing an unprecedented wave of electrification as climate change pressures mount. In 2023, electric truck sales surged by 35% compared to 2022, driven by environmental policies, declining costs, and corporate decarbonization goals. However, stark differences emerge between short-haul and long-haul operations, with charging infrastructure expansion proving critical for long-distance transport requiring frequent recharging.
Industries are exploring solutions to enhance power supply and infrastructure investment, yet generating sufficient electricity to meet growing demand remains the "biggest obstacle" to fleet electrification. Professor David Seben of Gambridge University's Mechanical Engineering Department notes that road transport accounts for 12.2% of global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting electric vehicles' significant decarbonization potential.
Corporate electrification efforts are intensifying, with electric vehicle adoption ranking as the 13th most prominent logistics trend in 2023. Seventeen percent of logistics decision-makers identify it as a current priority, though sectoral variations exist: 24% of fashion/lifestyle executives consider it relevant versus just 10% in perishable goods.
Electrification progresses faster in light-duty and short-haul applications. Fashion items typically weigh less than perishables, while heavy trucks log approximately ten times the annual mileage of passenger vehicles, complicating their decarbonization. Professor Seben observes that hydrogen trucks' high acquisition/operating costs make them impractical, whereas falling electric truck prices present viable alternatives.
The Global EV Outlook 2024 reports China maintained 70% market share in electric truck sales during 2023, though down from 85% in 2022. Europe nearly tripled sales to surpass 10,000 units, while U.S. sales also tripled but remained below 0.1% of total truck sales at 1,200 units. New U.S. heavy-vehicle emissions regulations will require zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to comprise 60% of future sales across segments. The EU's CO 2 standards for heavy vehicles aim for 90% emissions reduction by 2040, accelerating logistics electrification.
Recent EU legislation mandates dense public charging networks along highways and urban centers to facilitate electric fleet adoption. Current infrastructure nevertheless falls short for long-haul needs. Professor Seben notes that while long-distance electric trucks require charging every four hours, fleets prefer depot charging during scheduled stops over public stations. "Adding even one public charging stop to long routes extends travel time and raises logistics costs—an unsustainable burden for businesses," he explains.
Despite challenges, growing market traction and supportive policies signal electric logistics fleets' transformative potential, with smart technologies and sustainability emerging as industry priorities.
