Europe Heavy-duty Truck Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Europe Heavy-Duty Truck Market Trends and Insights

EU Phase-3 Co₂ Standards Tightening (2025-2030)

Penalties of EUR 6,800 per gram of excess CO₂ place heavy financial pressure on manufacturers, forcing fleet averages downward and sending a clear market signal that zero-emission trucks must scale rapidly^{[1]International Council on Clean Transportation, "THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION’S PROPOSED CO2 STANDARDS FOR HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES", theicct.org}. Early-adopting fleets gain competitive advantage by locking in supply commitments and preferential electricity tariffs before grid constraints intensify.

TCO Parity of BEV Trucks in Regional Haul Routes

Total cost of ownership calculations for battery-electric trucks reach parity with diesel equivalents in 2025 for routes under 400 kilometers. Regional haul applications benefit from predictable route patterns that enable optimized charging schedules and reduce range anxiety, while overnight depot charging eliminates the premium associated with public fast-charging infrastructure. Maintenance cost advantages of electric drivetrains compound the energy savings, as electric trucks eliminate oil changes, diesel particulate filter regeneration, and exhaust gas recirculation system maintenance that typically costs EUR 8,000-12,000 annually for heavy-duty diesel engines.

E-Commerce Driven Regional Distribution Boom

Parcel volumes continue to climb, shifting freight patterns toward high-frequency, medium-distance deliveries that align with current BEV range capabilities in the European heavy-duty truck market. Regional fulfillment networks favor rigid trucks in the 16-26 t class, boosting orders for electrified chassis. By adopting a regional distribution model, average daily distances have been curtailed to a range of 250-350 kilometers. This range aligns seamlessly with the capabilities of today's electric trucks. DHL's strategic rollout of electric trucks at its European hubs serves as a testament to the potential for logistics operators. Through adept route optimization and synchronized charging, they can realize substantial emission cuts without compromising service quality.

Urban Low-Emission Zones Accelerating Electrified Adoption

European cities are tightening low-emission zones, effectively sidelining diesel trucks. These zones act as unofficial mandates for electric trucks in urban logistics. Given that city centers account for 40-60% of delivery volumes in regional networks, operators are compelled to adapt. The financial repercussions are significant: beyond just losing access, operators face the dilemma of maintaining dual fleets or navigating less efficient routes, leading to a 15-25% spike in operational costs.

High Up-front Cost of ZEV Trucks

Electric trucks still cost 2.5-3 times more than diesels, pressuring cash-flow-constrained operators despite total cost advantages over the vehicle life in the European heavy-duty truck market. Battery packs alone can account for half of the price premium. While leasing arrangements help ease the initial financial burden, monthly payments for electric trucks still surpass those of their diesel counterparts. This cost disparity poses challenges, especially in specialized sectors such as construction and mining. Hence, electric trucks not only come with a premium price tag, but also face heightened costs due to their limited production volumes and ruggedized specifications, which curtail potential economies of scale.

Slow Roll-out of Public Charging and H₂ Refuelling

Truck electrification timelines outpace the rollout of charging infrastructure in Europe. By 2030, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation requires public refuelling stations to be spaced no more than 200 km apart on the TEN-T core and comprehensive networks. However, Eastern European nations are falling notably short of these deployment targets.^{[2]European Commission, "Alternative fuels for sustainable mobility in Europe", transport.ec.europa.eu}

Segment Analysis

By Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Operators Push Above-40 t Payloads

The 16-26 t band remained the volume leader at 45.25% of 2024 demand due to its suitability for urban delivery and regional routes. The 26-40 tonne category serves as a transition zone where operators balance payload requirements against urban access restrictions, with many European cities implementing weight-based access controls that favor lighter configurations. Modular frames introduced by leading OEMs allow component sharing between classes, lowering incremental costs and smoothing production ramp-ups.

The above-40 t category expanded fastest at an 8.81% CAGR as companies sought to maximize payloads per trip and take advantage of regulatory axle-weight concessions for zero-emission trucks. Within the class, electrified trucks enjoy exemptions from weekend driving bans in several member states, further enhancing asset utilization. Adoption varies across weight classes because heavier trucks require larger battery packs, yet economies of scale in freight revenue offset the mass penalty. 

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Propulsion: Battery-Electric Leads the Transition

Internal-combustion engines still dominated with 93.31% share in 2024, but electric trucks delivered a 16.66% CAGR that places them at the forefront of drivetrain change. Early deployments concentrate on regional haul where depot charging matches operating patterns. Natural gas engines hold niche appeal as a bridging solution, although rising biomethane prices temper growth prospects.

Fuel cell electric vehicles occupy a niche position focused on long-haul applications where hydrogen's energy density advantages offset infrastructure limitations. Tighter Euro 7 limits inflate diesel after-treatment costs, accelerating the switch to electric drivetrains. Despite holding a modest share in the market, electric truck manufacturers are grappling with order backlogs stretching 12 to 18 months, underscoring a demand that outpaces their production capabilities.

By Axle Type: 6×2 Configurations Gain Traction

4×2 trucks retained 42.22% of the European heavy-duty truck market share in 2024, reflecting their efficiency on highway and urban distribution routes where traction demands are moderate. Electric adoption is strongest in this layout because battery weight can be managed without exceeding axle limits, and existing depot charging networks are already configured around two-axle rigs. Even so, market momentum is shifting toward multi-axle designs that better accommodate heavier zero-emission drivetrains without compromising payload. Operators closely monitor residual values, and the relative simplicity of the 4×2 arrangement keeps long-term ownership costs predictable.

The 6×2 segment is expanding at a 7.21% CAGR for 2025-2030, driven by its ability to distribute battery mass across an additional axle while retaining lower rolling resistance than a full 6×4 drivetrain. OEM e-axle systems integrate seamlessly into this layout, enabling torque vectoring and regenerative braking that improve range. Specialized 6×4 and 6×6 chassis remain essential for construction and off-road transport, where maximum traction overrides efficiency goals, while heavy-haul 8×6 and 8×8 configurations occupy a niche with limited electrification prospects. Across all variants, new frames include pre-engineered mounting points and high-voltage routing to future-proof diesel models for later battery or fuel-cell conversions.

By Truck Type: Rigid Trucks Benefit from Urban Focus

Articulated combinations commanded 54.76% of European heavy-duty truck market share in 2024, underscoring the region’s dependence on long-haul, trailer-based freight models. Fleets value the operational flexibility of dropping trailers at intermodal hubs, and diesel trucks continue to dominate this space. Nonetheless, battery integration poses packaging challenges for articulated rigs because the trucks must carry most of the energy storage, and charging schedules must coordinate with trailer swapping and driver rest periods. These constraints temper the near-term electrification rate in the highest-volume configuration.

Rigid trucks are growing at a 6.45% CAGR through 2030 as e-commerce accelerates urban and regional delivery demand. A single-body chassis simplifies battery placement, boosts usable cargo space, and enables overnight depot charging without trailer logistics, reducing total cost of ownership. Logistics operators prefer rigid formats for city-center access under low-emission zone rules, and modular van-to-truck bodies allow rapid reconfiguration of payload requirements. The launch of the IVECO S-eWay Artic demonstrates that technology is catching up for articulated use cases, but current infrastructure economics still favor rigid deployments in densely populated corridors

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Application: Long-Haul Segment Embraces Zero-Emission Technology

Freight and logistics applications held 47.91% of the European heavy-duty truck market size in 2024, reflecting the broad spectrum of goods movement that underpins regional commerce. Urban parcel delivery and regional distribution dominate mileage, aligning naturally with battery-electric ranges and depot charging models. Operators in these segments achieve quick payback periods because predictable route profiles optimize energy use and battery cycling. Tight delivery windows also favor electric drivetrains that offer instant torque and regenerative stopping in stop-and-go traffic.

Long-haul missions are projected to grow at an 8.12% CAGR from 2025-2030 as fuel-cell systems and higher-density batteries extend zero-emission range past 500 km. Hydrogen corridor funding along the TEN-T network supports refueling infrastructure suited to cross-border freight, easing prior constraints on intercity routes. Construction and mining applications lag because harsh duty cycles accelerate battery degradation and require ruggedized designs that remain costly at low production volumes. Meanwhile, pilots such as Scania’s electric truck with a fuel-powered range extender illustrate hybrid pathways that let fleets meet urban zero-emission mandates while preserving long-haul flexibility

Geography Analysis

Germany commanded 19.58% of 2024 demand, driven by dense freight networks, expansive supplier bases and generous purchase incentives. Low-emission zones covering most major cities compel earlier replacement of legacy diesel fleets, while access to reliable grid power accelerates depot charging roll-outs. Funding programs lower acquisition costs by up to half, and domestic OEM presence anchors local employment and political backing.

The Nordic region is expected to post a 6.99% CAGR through 2030, buoyed by abundant renewable electricity, toll exemptions and pilot electric road systems that extend range capability. Government-backed carbon pricing raises diesel operating expenses, tipping life-cycle economics in favor of BEVs even in cold climates.

Spain, Poland and the Benelux states illustrate the next wave of adoption as port-centric logistics corridors demand cleaner trucks. The Netherlands leverages the Port of Rotterdam’s electrification projects to create concentrated charging clusters, while Poland’s rapid economic growth aligns freight modernization with EU emission rules. Eastern Europe trails on infrastructure readiness but represents a sizable long-term volume pool once grid upgrades progress.