Heavy Duty Trucks Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2026 - 2031)

Global Heavy Duty Trucks Market Trends and Insights

Expanding E-commerce Freight Volumes

E-commerce freight expansion drives heavy-duty truck demand through last-mile delivery optimization and regional distribution network densification. The surge in online retail creates demand for medium-duty electric trucks in urban environments, where zero-emission mandates increasingly restrict diesel operations^{[1]"Advanced Clean Fleets", California Air Resources Board, ww2.arb.ca.gov.}. Parcel and less-than-truckload shipments are reshaping fleet composition as online retail penetration deepens. The American Trucking Associations projects U.S. freight tonnage will rise from 11.27 billion tons in 2024 to 13.99 billion tons by 2035, placing sustained pressure on regional haul assets. Zero-emission zones in California, New York, and several European cities push operators toward Class 7 and lighter Class 8 tractors, duty cycles that align with the current battery range of 200-300 kilometers. Amazon’s pledge to field 100,000 electric delivery vehicles by 2030 illustrates early-adopter willingness to absorb capital premiums for compliance and brand positioning. Operators also benefit from premium freight rates on time-sensitive cargo, partially offsetting higher vehicle prices. The shift toward higher-value goods further incentivizes investments in telematics and predictive maintenance that maximize uptime.

Strict Global Emission Mandates Driving Fleet Renewal

Regulatory frameworks across major markets create unprecedented pressure for fleet electrification, with the EPA's Phase 3 standards requiring 50% of vocational vehicles to be zero-emission by 2032^{[2]"Final Rule: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles – Phase 3", U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), epa.gov.}. Regulators are compressing replacement cycles by tightening NOx and CO₂ limits. The U.S. EPA Clean Trucks Plan stipulates that zero-emission models must reach 40% of new Class 8 tractor sales by model year 2032, with interim steps beginning in 2027. Euro VII standards entering force in 2027 impose real-world testing and onboard diagnostics that add 10-15% to diesel engine costs, narrowing the price gap with battery-electric alternatives. Fleets delaying electrification risk stranded assets as resale values for older diesels fall in restricted zones, a trend amplified by California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule. China's rapid adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, with over 80% of global electric truck sales, demonstrates how policy can accelerate market transformation^{[3]"Trends in heavy-duty electric vehicles", International Energy Agency, iea.org.}.

Infrastructure Stimulus Packages

Government spending is expanding charging and refueling corridors. The U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates USD 7.5 billion for nationwide EV charging, supporting megawatt systems suited to long-haul trucks. Europe’s TEN-T upgrade funds cross-border stations along priority freight axes, while China’s Belt and Road projects include battery swap depots for logistics parks. These programs shorten range-anxiety payback periods, thereby reinforcing fleet renewal mandates. Suppliers of charging hardware and grid services benefit from predictable project pipelines that enable scale economies.

Hydrogen Corridor Pilot Programs in Asia Pacific

Japan’s Fukushima Hydrogen Highway links Tokyo to the northeast with 12 fueling stations, enabling Toyota and Hino fuel-cell rigs to cover 600 kilometers without range compromise. South Korea has earmarked KRW 500 billion to deploy 50 hydrogen stations by 2027, targeting 10,000 fuel-cell trucks in service. Australia’s Queensland Hydrogen Highway aims to decarbonize mining haulage through projects backed by Fortescue Metals Group. These pilots validate high-density energy carriers for payload-sensitive or multi-shift operations, although green hydrogen costs of USD 5-7 per kilogram remain a barrier.

High Upfront Cost of Zero-emission Heavy Trucks

Battery-electric Class 8 tractors still cost two to three times more than diesel equivalents, with 2025 list prices of USD 350,000-400,000 versus USD 150,000-180,000 for conventional units. Subsidies such as California’s HVIP vouchers, which can reach USD 240,000 per truck, ease but do not eliminate the premium. In price-sensitive economies, cash-flow constraints prevent smaller fleets from absorbing even subsidized differentials. Financiers also demand higher interest spreads to compensate for uncertain residual values and battery degradation beyond year 7.

Volatile Diesel Price Environment Impacting Purchase Cycles

Sharp swings in fuel prices complicate payback calculations for electric trucks. When diesel spot rates fall below USD 3 per gallon, fleet managers may defer replacement or shift to lower-capex natural-gas options. Conversely, price spikes above USD 4.50 accelerate orders but also inflate operating costs for diesel units awaiting delivery, compressing margins and limiting balance sheet flexibility.

Segment Analysis

By Tonnage Type: Heavier Segments Drive Electrification

The heavy-duty trucks market size for vehicles above 15 tons stayed dominant with a 61.40% revenue share in 2025, reflecting the still-critical role of long-haul and construction logistics. The segment continues to grow, supported by infrastructure spending but tempered by higher battery mass penalties. Conversely, the 10-15 ton bracket is advancing at a 9.50% CAGR; cities granting delivery privileges to lighter gross vehicle weights foster this outperformance. Europe’s proposed 1-ton allowance for battery-electric rigids aims to preserve payload parity and is catalyzing OEM portfolio additions.

Operators report that the “Goldilocks” mid-weight class balances range, payload, and chassis cost. Daimler’s eActros 300 achieved a 220-kilometer real-world range in Swiss pilots, covering a full double-shift with overnight charging. Battery prices nearing USD 110 per kilowatt-hour in 2026 are making mid-weight electrification financially attractive within three-year payback windows. Policy signals in California and Paris that prohibit diesels over 12 tons inside city limits after 2030 further anchor demand. As a result, the 10-15 ton segment is set to raise its share of the heavy-duty trucks market to roughly 30% by 2031.

By Class: Class 8 Dominance Faces Medium-duty Challenge

Class 8 maintained a commanding 70.8% presence in 2025, driven by interstate haulage and heavy construction. With an 8.30% CAGR forecast, Class 7 gains from duty cycles of 150-200 miles that match current battery ranges without en-route charging. CARB requires 40% zero-emission sales for Class 7 tractors by 2032, accelerating OEM roadmaps.

Mack’s MD Electric offers a 150-kilowatt-hour pack and 140-mile range, succeeding in beverage and food-service fleets where predictable routes enable scheduled charging. Class 8 electrification remains experimental but promising; megawatt chargers rolling out on U.S. I-5 and German Autobahns enable 45-minute turnarounds. The heavy-duty trucks market share for Class 8 is projected to slip below 68% by 2031 as medium-duty adoption accelerates.

By Propulsion Type: Diesel Dominance Meets Electric Disruption

Diesel retained an 83.90% share in 2025; however, its portion is forecasted to drop to 66-68% by 2031. Battery-electric vehicles are scaling at a 38.50% CAGR, propelled by falling pack costs and emissions regulations. Volvo’s FH Electric, featuring a 540-kilowatt-hour battery, entered series production in 2024, supporting 600-kilometer routes for customers aiming for 2027 compliance. 

Fuel-cell trucks are well-suited for applications where payload or duty cycles exceed battery capability. Alternative fuels, such as renewable natural gas and biodiesel, demonstrate healthy growth, offering immediate CO₂ reductions where electric infrastructure lags behind. Diesel’s longevity in mining and long-haul African corridors indicates a multi-propulsion landscape through the next decade.

By Application: Freight Logistics Leads Transformation

Freight logistics represented 55.70% of overall demand in 2025 and is growing at an 11.69% CAGR. E-commerce service levels necessitate time-definite delivery, justifying higher capex on connected, zero-emission trucks. Anglo American’s hydrogen haul truck at Mogalakwena validated 290-ton payloads, signalling mining’s pathway to decarbonization. Construction and mining follow at 28% share but adopt at slower rates due to remote-site charging challenges.

Municipal fleets, holding 12%, pivot to battery-electric refuse and utility rigs for city climate pledges. Volvo’s FE Electric refuse truck now serves Stockholm waste routes with zero tailpipe emissions. Specialized applications such as refrigerated logistics are experimenting with hybridized diesel-electric modules, underscoring that one propulsion does not yet fit all.

By Truck Body Type: Tractor-trailers Maintain Leadership

Tractor-trailers dominated with a 48.60% share and a 10.90% CAGR through 2031. Their high utilization rates support investment in megawatt charging and autonomous-ready chassis. PACCAR’s Kenworth T680E delivers 250 miles of range, enabling port-to-warehouse shuttle loops on the U.S. West Coast. Rigid dump trucks stay relevant in mining but lag in electrification due to duty cycle severity.

Tankers at 14% share are early adopters for city fuel distribution, capitalizing on nighttime depot charging. Flatbeds, reefers, and other specialized bodies explore modular packs that can be swapped in under 10 minutes. By 2031, tractor-trailers will still command the largest slice of the heavy-duty trucks market, yet rigid electrification in mining could close the gap if payload-neutral battery chemistries emerge.

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

By Sales Channel: OEM Dominance Reflects Fleet Preferences

OEM direct sales absorbed 74.10% of unit volumes in 2025, reflecting fleet trust in factory warranties for complex electrified systems. Leasing and rental channels, growing at a 12.10% CAGR, let operators avoid upfront premiums and hedge technology risk. Ryder’s 2025 battery-electric leasing bundle includes guaranteed buy-back and depot charger financing, smoothing cash flow.

Aftermarket retrofits are gaining traction, driven by California fleets converting older trucks to battery-electric drivetrains to retain access to zero-emission zones. Lightning eMotors has already modified more than 500 Class 6-7 units since 2024. As battery costs fall, direct sales will hold the majority share, yet leasing is positioned to expand fastest as lenders grow comfortable underwriting residuals.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific led with a 47.21% revenue share in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 9.30% CAGR to 2031, buoyed by China’s manufacturing scale and regional hydrogen corridors. Sinotruk, FAW, and Dongfeng captured over 60% of regional volumes as the National VI standard and municipal incentives in Beijing and Shanghai accelerated urban electrification. India’s Tata Motors launched the Prima EV in 2024, addressing metropolitan freight and select mining customers, while state subsidies in Delhi and Maharashtra target 8,000 zero-emission trucks by 2028. Japan’s Fukushima Hydrogen Highway underpins fuel-cell pilots, and Australia’s Fortescue Metals Group invests in hydrogen haulage to cut Scope 1 emissions.

North America held a 28% share, animated by the U.S. EPA Clean Trucks Plan and federal charging grants. California’s Advanced Clean Trucks rule and incentives reaching USD 240,000 per vehicle sustain the nation’s largest zero-emission fleet pipeline. Canada’s up-to-CAD 200,000 rebates drive uptake along the Windsor-Quebec corridor, while Mexico’s cross-border carriers electrify to maintain California access. Europe contributed 18% in 2025, with Euro VII standards and Germany’s Autobahn megawatt chargers catalyzing adoption. The United Kingdom mandates 10% zero-emission truck sales by 2030, scaling to 100% by 2040. France and Italy support LNG as a bridge fuel, whereas Scandinavia pushes battery-electric solutions across all classes.

The Middle East and Africa collectively accounted for 7%, with Dubai and Riyadh piloting Chinese battery-electric rigs for urban deliveries. Extreme temperatures necessitate advanced thermal management, slowing broader adoption. Latin America’s mining belts in Chile and Peru represent early hydrogen fuel-cell demand, but broader market growth is constrained by financing costs and infrastructure gaps.