At present, over 90% of newly registered trucks in the EU are equipped with diesel engines. In the first quarter of 2025, only 3.5% were battery-electric or plug-in hybrid models. This indicates a structural conflict of objectives, according to ACEA.
ACEA calls for targeted political action
During a press briefing in Brussels, Christian Levin, CEO of Scania and Chair of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Committee, stressed that the industry is not questioning the climate targets. Speaking to The Munich Eye, Levin said the key issue is how these targets can be achieved under realistic conditions.
He highlighted Germany’s central role in European freight logistics:
“The majority of transport in the EU passes through Germany. Therefore, it is crucial for the country to actively support the transition to low- or zero-emission vehicles,” Levin said.
Call for higher fossil fuel prices and faster infrastructure rollout
To accelerate the transition, Levin called for a significant increase in the price of fossil fuels such as diesel. At the same time, he urged the rapid deployment of a reliable charging infrastructure for electric trucks, describing it as essential for making the market ramp-up of zero-emission drive systems economically viable.
In addition to incentives such as tax breaks, a CO₂-based road toll for trucks, and targeted funding programmes, reform of the electricity grid infrastructure is also required. According to ACEA, grid expansion planning must be aligned with the anticipated rise in demand from electromobility. Approval procedures lasting up to ten years—as currently seen in Sweden—make swift progress impossible.
Stalemate on key EU directive
The association also criticised delays in revising the EU directive on the weights and dimensions of commercial vehicles. A regulatory update is needed to ensure electric trucks can be compared with conventional diesel trucks on a consistent legal basis. Despite agreement among the European Commission, Parliament, and industry stakeholders, a breakthrough in the Council of Member States is still pending.
