Zero-Emission Trucks in Europe — The Road So Far

Support CleanTechnica’s work through a Substack subscription or on Stripe.

Electric truck sales rose sharply in 2025 as the first ever truck CO2 target kicked in July. New data reveals the state of zero-emission truck sales in Europe.

The new target has spurred the European e-truck market, though China still leads the global race. Front-running countries show the way forward as they keep pace with China, thanks to comprehensive policies supporting the shift to electric.

The truck CO₂ standards are key to maintaining European competitiveness and market certainty. Safeguarding their ambition is crucial to ensure European truckmakers do not lose the technological race.

Key findings

• 5.6% of new trucks have been electric since July 2025, up from 3.5% in the previous 12 months.
• One out of four e-trucks registered in Europe since 2022 was sold after the 2025 CO₂ target kicked in.
• China is still the global leader with an e-truck share of 15%, compared to 5% in Europe in 2025.
• The Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Denmark are European frontrunners, reaching 16–18% electric truck shares in 2025. Germany leads among large truck markets.
• National implementation of European measures such as CO₂-based tolling (Eurovignette), CO₂ pricing (ETS2), and renewable electricity credits for public and private charging (RED III) can greatly improve e-truck economics, thus supporting electrification at scale.
• Daimler Truck has overtaken Volvo Group as the leading e-truck manufacturer, while other truck makers are slow to increase electric sales. Truck makers must accelerate to remain competitive globally.

Download the report.

News release from T&E.