Zero-emission trucks, according to T&E only three European truck makers are ready to lead transition. The chart

Transport & Environment tried to measure truck manufacturers’ “readiness to transition” to zero-emission trucks. According to this chart, reported below, only 3 European truck makers – namely, Scania, Mercedes-Benz and MAN – share the top with BYD China, Tesla and Xos Trucks. That’s a bit awkward, as Volvo Trucks is not at the top of the rank despite it is the best-selling European truck maker so far. Additionally, Tesla is having quite big issues when it comes to put its Semi electric truck in series production.

The zero-emission global race for trucks

T&E warns that “four major European truck manufacturers lag far behind and risk losing market share to the American and Chinese challengers unless EU truck CO2 standards are tightened”. Due to its “very strong industrial strategy”, Scania leads the chart. Mercedes-Benz Trucks, in second place, aims for 60% of its sales to be zero-emission vehicles in 2030. However, “there’s a gap between its announcements and its industrial plans. The company has a weaker battery strategy and has yet to secure a supply of battery raw materials”, stated T&E.

MAN, on the other hand, despite having “a weaker 2030 zero-emission goal”, is fourth in the chart. Volvo Trucks EU, for instance, is far behind, as the company “lacks a 100% zero-emission sales target and is investing in gas and biofuels”. According to T&E, Renault Trucks too “is hedging on gas and biofuels”, while IVECO and DAF “have invested little in battery supply chains and charging networks”.

Sofie Defour, freight director at T&E, said: “European truckmakers all claim to be green, but the reality is less than half of them are on track to go to zero emissions and only via voluntary commitments. There’s a huge gap in the truck industry between manufacturers with a plan to fully decarbonise and those without. The EU needs strong truck CO2 standards to bring the whole European industry up to speed.”