Electric trucks
Electric trucks, the future of sustainable road logistics
Road transport logistics, fundamental to the global economy as it enables the transit of goods and products, has become one of the most polluting sectors. Faced with this challenge, electric trucks are emerging as the alternative for sustainable transport. Discover their growing role in road logistics and their contribution to the electrification of the economy.
While combustion-engine vehicles continue to travel on our roads, the data highlights the need to move towards cleaner transport: road transport emissions exceeded six billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 8% more than in 2015, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, the latest figures point to a moderation in this trend: between 2019 and 2024, emissions grew at an average annual rate of 0.2%, compared with 1.7% between 2015 and 2019.
Achieving energy autonomy through electrification and renewable energies is the great challenge facing Europe if it is to avoid the pressures and threats to its economy and social model.
Electric mobility is a key part of this change. In the logistics sector, electric trucks are becoming an increasingly viable solution from both a technological and economic perspective, as well as one of the most efficient alternatives for reducing emissions from freight transport.
What are electric trucks and how do they work?
Electric trucks are freight vehicles that use electric motors instead of internal combustion engines powered by petrol or diesel. These trucks are generally powered by rechargeable batteries that supply energy to the motors, allowing them to travel without emitting harmful exhaust gases or relying on fossil fuels.
There are different types of electric trucks depending on the technology they use and their intended application:
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Battery electric trucks are the most widespread. They run on rechargeable batteries and are particularly suitable for urban deliveries and short- and medium-distance journeys.
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Plug-in hybrid trucks combine an electric motor with an internal combustion engine, allowing them to run on electricity for certain journeys.
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Hydrogen fuel cell trucks generate electricity from hydrogen and are being considered as a technological alternative for applications requiring greater ranges or shorter refuelling times.
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There are also electric trucks designed for urban deliveries, which can enter Low Emission Zones without restrictions and significantly reduce maintenance costs
Why is it important to electrify heavy-duty transport?
Road transport remains heavily dependent on fossil fuels: it accounts for around 45% of global oil demand, according to the IEA. Within the sector, trucks generate approximately one-third of emissions, while passenger cars and vans account for more than 60%. These figures highlight the importance of decarbonising vehicles used for freight transport, particularly larger vehicles and those in intensive use.
Given the significant contribution of trucks to road transport emissions, switching to electric trucks is key to reducing this percentage, consuming less fuel – particularly important given that these vehicles require more fuel than conventional transport – and achieving more sustainable mobility.
What is the charging process of an electric truck?
The electricity supply is very similar to that of an electric vehicle (EV), although it requires more time. An electric truck can charge up to 80% of its capacity in approximately 1 to 4 hours. With the new MCS chargers, this level of charging will be reached in less than 45 minutes, coinciding with mandatory stops.
Renewable installation
Electricity is generated from renewable energies.
Distribution line
Energy is distributed in a network that covers the centres of consumption.
Charging point
Depending on the use, they can have different power ratings, 100-200 kW for charging during truck idle periods or 350-1,200 kW for on-road charging.
MCS
The Megawatt Charging System (MCS) is a charging connector under development for electric vehicles with large batteries.
The connector will be able to reach 3,750 kW of power (3.75 MW), 10 times more than ultra-fast car charging.
Fast day-time charging
CCS2
These chargers operate on direct current and can provide up to 400 kW of power.
Fast day-time charging
Night-time charging
Battery
The battery stores electricity to power the motor. They are usually made of lithium-ion due to their high energy density and chargeability.
Electric motor
When electrical energy is supplied from the batteries, the motor converts it into mechanical energy to drive the wheels.
Other electrical components
Components such as controllers or inverters allow a stable and safe flow of electricity.
Long-haul electric trucks currently have a range of around 500 km, but trucks with a range of up to 1,000 km will soon be available
At present, electric trucks designed for short-, medium-, and long-distance transport have ranges of approximately 250 km, 350 km, and 600 km, respectively. Ongoing technological advances are expected to extend this to over 1,000 km in the coming years
SEE INFOGRAPHIC: What is the charging process of an electric truck? [PDF]
The electrification of road transport is different from that of private electric cars and commercial vehicles. The weights and dimensions of electric trucks require much larger batteries with more powerful recharging points, and the design of the infrastructure must also facilitate access for these vehicles given their dimensions and the required turning radii.
Advantages of electric trucks and challenges to their deployment
Electric trucks offer several advantages over conventional internal combustion trucks:
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Emission reductions
All-electric trucks produce no direct greenhouse gas emissions, which contributes to the reduction of air pollution and environmental impact. However, their effects on the environment depend on the type of energy used to generate the electricity (renewable or non-renewable). In any case, these vehicle models produce at least 63 % less emissions during their lifetime compared to diesel vehicles, according to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
Electrified heavy transport is guaranteed an emission-free future in a scenario where the energy mix is becoming increasingly renewable. In the European Union, renewable energy already accounted for 25.2% of gross final energy consumption in 2024, compared with 21.8% in 2021, according to Eurostat.
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Less noise
Electric motors are quieter than internal combustion engines, which reduces noise pollution in urban and residential areas.
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Low Emission Zones (LEZ)
Low emission zones are specific areas of a city that restrict access to the most polluting vehicles. There are references of large cities that have been benchmarks in setting limits to road traffic. This is the case of Berlin, with its LEZ in operation since January 2008 and covering an area of 88 square kilometres. London also stands out, which in 2003 created a "congestion charge" or toll for the central area of the capital, and in 2019 inaugurated the Ultra Low Emission Zone. More recently, the UK has continued to expand these measures: according to the Department for Transport, there were seven Clean Air Zones in operation in England in March 2024, following their introduction in Bradford in September 2022 and in Bristol, Tyneside and Sheffield between November 2022 and February 2023. These benchmark measures are increasingly gaining ground in other cities and countries such as Spain, where at least 149 municipalities (those with more than 50,000 inhabitants) are obliged by the climate change law to have LEZs where the transport vehicle par excellence will be electric. The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility also states that, under the 2025 transport support scheme, municipalities subject to this requirement had to have a LEZ in place or commit to implementing one during that year.
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Lower operating costs
Electric trucks have lower operating costs. Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel and electric vehicles have fewer moving parts and less maintenance requirements.
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Energy efficiency
Electric motors have a higher energy conversion efficiency and no energy losses associated with combustion. While green hydrogen and synthetic fuel have efficiencies of 28 % and 20 % respectively, the 100 % electric truck exceeds 77 %, i.e. electric is 3 to 5 times more efficient than other zero-emission alternatives.
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Technological evolution
This type of transport represents a constantly evolving technology. With advances in battery capacity and charging infrastructure, electric trucks are expected to become increasingly viable and competitive in the freight transport market. Furthermore, their development also has positive consequences for other types of transport, such as tourism or electric buses, for example.
However, the electric truck sector still faces several challenges:
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Shorter range
Range is one of the main drawbacks of electric trucks, as increasing it requires larger batteries, which adds to the vehicle's tare weight. However, improvements in battery energy density offer an increasingly positive outlook for the future, with trucks capable of travelling longer distances.
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Higher upfront cost
The price of electric trucks depends on factors such as their specifications, range, battery capacity and manufacturer, but their upfront cost is still higher than that of internal combustion models. Although falling battery costs and economies of scale are helping to narrow this gap, price parity has not yet been achieved across the market. According to the IEA, in 2024 battery electric trucks had an upfront cost two to three times higher than equivalent diesel trucks, although this gap is expected to narrow in the coming years.
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Charging times and developing infrastructure
Battery charging currently takes longer than filling a fuel tank, with charging times ranging from 1.5 to 7 hours depending on the model and available infrastructure. However, this is an area with significant growth potential. That is why the Iberdrola Group invests and innovates to develop infrastructure that speeds up charging, as we see it as an opportunity to accelerate the decarbonisation and electrification of transport.
Charging: key to accelerating electric heavy-duty transport
The development of suitable charging infrastructure will be crucial to the gradual integration of electric trucks into freight transport. Unlike light-duty vehicles, the electrification of heavy-duty transport requires specific planning that takes into account routes, the range required, drivers' rest periods and the time available for charging.
It is also important to bear in mind that the electrification of trucks differs from that of private electric cars and commercial vehicles. The weight and size of electric trucks require much larger batteries and more powerful charging points, while the infrastructure must also be designed to facilitate access for these vehicles, given their dimensions and the turning radii they require.
Depending on the needs of each operation, there are different charging solutions:
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Charging at logistics hubs: One of the most widespread options for fleets with defined routes. Trucks can be charged at their own facilities during periods of lower activity, such as overnight, making better use of downtime and facilitating management of the energy required for the following day's operations.
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En-route charging: Essential for extending the use of electric trucks to longer journeys. Installing charging points along strategic corridors makes it possible to schedule stops and align energy recovery with the usual rest periods and logistics operations.
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Ultra-fast charging: High-power technologies will reduce charging times and will be particularly important for long-distance heavy-duty transport. In this area, the development of the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) standard will be key, as it is designed to provide higher power outputs than those currently available and meet the specific needs of electric trucks.
The deployment of electric freight corridors, with strategically distributed charging infrastructure, will be very important in advancing towards electrified logistics. In addition, integrating these solutions with renewable energy and smart energy management systems will help optimise consumption, make better use of clean generation and contribute to more efficient and sustainable freight transport.
Current situation and outlook
The electric truck sector is experiencing significant growth worldwide. Highlights:
- China. A leader in the electric truck market, China has experienced rapid growth in recent years. Manufacturers such as BYD, SANY and JAC Motors stand out. The government has implemented policies and subsidies to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles for freight transport.
- United States. The electric truck market is growing exponentially in the US, with numerous manufacturers launching or planning to launch electric truck models. One example is Tesla. Incentive and financing programmes are also being implemented to promote adoption.
- Europe. Interest in electric trucks in Europe is also growing. Several European manufacturers —such as Scania, MAN, Volvo or Daimler Trucks— are developing different models and there is a growing focus on charging infrastructure. In addition, stricter regulations are being implemented to reduce emissions in the transport sector.
In Spain, the deployment of electric trucks is still at an early stage. The sector is less developed than in other countries but continues to grow. The first ultra-fast charging stations designed for trucks are already in operation, for example. Iberdrola also works with companies and industry associations such as Disfrimur and AEDIVE to continue launching initiatives specifically aimed at zero-emission heavy-duty road transport.
Above all, the outlook is promising. According to a study by US consultancy McKinsey, more than half of all trucks registered in Europe, the United States and China will be electric by 2035. But this transformation is not just a future expectation: electric trucks are already a competitive alternative for applications where route planning and the availability of charging points facilitate their operation – for example, urban and last-mile deliveries, regional or medium-distance routes, fleets with fixed routes, operations involving overnight charging at a depot, and transport in Low Emission Zones.
Iberdrola's role in electric mobility
At Iberdrola, we are promoting sustainable mobility as a key way to move towards a more sustainable transport model based on electrification and the use of renewable energy. Through the development of charging solutions and strategic partnerships, we are working to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles and help reduce emissions, improve air quality and combat climate change.
This transformation also extends to the logistics sector, where electric trucks represent an opportunity to move towards an electrified transport model and more efficient, environmentally friendly mobility. In this area, Iberdrola is promoting solutions that facilitate the integration of these vehicles by developing charging solutions for individuals, businesses and fleets, as well as supplying zero-emission mobility powered by renewable energy. In this way, we are helping to prepare freight transport for the new requirements of sustainable mobility, with charging infrastructure adapted to evolving logistics needs and capable of supporting the sector's development.
