Is the Trucking Industry REALLY Turning Electric?

The trucking industry is moving towards electrification, but the transition is currently uneven and more complex than the shift to electric cars or vans. HGVs have traditionally relied on diesel because freight transport depends on long operating ranges, fast refuelling, heavy payload capability and reliability under constant commercial use.

However, electric trucks are now moving beyond prototypes and into real-world logistics operations, particularly in urban delivery and regional haulage. The debate is therefore now about whether electric trucks can work economically and operationally at scale.

In this article, the team here at Walker Movements take a balanced look at the move towards electrification, exploring where electric trucks are already proving effective, the challenges that still exist, and how the transition is likely to look like for fleet operators over the coming years.

Why the move towards electric trucks is accelerating

Transport remains one of the largest contributors to carbon emissions, and logistics businesses are under increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact. The move towards electric trucks is accelerating thanks to a combination of government net-zero targets, low emission and clean air zones, ESG reporting requirements and customer sustainability expectations.

This means that major retailers and logistics firms are increasingly asking supply chain partners to demonstrate carbon reduction strategies.

Truck manufacturers are investing heavily in electric HGV development, with significant improvements being made in battery capacity and charging speed, as well as vehicle range and drivetrain efficiency. This means that electric trucks are becoming more commercially viable for specific use cases.

An electric HGV is not yet a practical option for every situation and so vehicles with predictable routes are currently the strongest use case. This could include supermarket distribution, urban delivery fleets, depot-to-depot transport and regional logistics routes. Vehicles that return to base each day are much easier to charge and manage operationally than irregular nationwide haulage fleets.

The financial and environmental case for electric trucks

Electric trucks produce zero tailpipe emissions, meaning there will be reduced air and noise pollution and improved urban environmental performance. This is particularly important in towns and cities where air quality regulations are tightening.

Whilst the purchase price of an electric HGV is significantly higher than diesel equivalents, the operational savings can still make electric fleets attractive over time. There are much lower fuel costs compared with diesel and fewer moving parts in electric drivetrains.

There is also the potential to reduce servicing and maintenance requirements, so fleets need to assess the lifetime operational cost of a vehicle, rather than just its purchase price.

It is also necessary to consider the reputational importance of electric vehicles as well as the commercial considerations. Businesses increasingly want to demonstrate carbon reductions, win environmentally-conscious contracts and strengthen their ESG reporting, so there will be clients who start to prioritise lower emission logistics providers.

Major barriers are still slowing widespread adoption

The upfront cost of an electric truck remains a major challenge as they are substantially more expensive than diesel vehicles. This means that smaller operators may struggle with capital investment, financing and fleet replacement costs. It is the larger operators who usually have more flexibility to be able to trial electric vehicles.

Charging commercial vehicles has also been one of the biggest obstacles in the haulage world. Fleets may therefore require depot charging infrastructure and an upgraded electrical supply, as well as additional grid capacity and specialist charging management systems. This is because there is currently a lack of widespread public charging infrastructure that is suitable for HGV use.

The difficulty of charging an electric HGV means different planning will be needed to create effective charging schedules. Fleets also need to think about the associated vehicle downtime and energy management requirements. As a result, maintenance teams and drivers may require new training.

There are also concerns over range and payload as the battery weight is likely to reduce the payload capacity. Cold weather, heavy loads, motorway driving and unpredictable traffic can also impact range performance, so diesel currently remains more practical for many demanding long-haul operations.

Long-haul transport remains the biggest challenge

Long-distance haulage is harder to electrify as it depends on maximum uptime, long operating ranges, fast turnaround, and reliable nationwide infrastructure. This has meant that charging downtime is more disruptive in long-distance freight operations.

However, technology is improving at a rapid rate. There have been significant developments when it comes to larger battery ranges, megawatt charging systems and faster charging capability. It may also be the case that mandatory driver rest periods could eventually create practical charging opportunities.

Long-haul electrification will depend heavily on infrastructure availability. Charging must exist where trucks actually operate, including depots, motorway corridors, logistics hubs and freight centres. Eventually, long-haul electrification will be possible, but it is unlikely to happen overnight.

The transition will happen in route-by-route rather than all at once

The first fleets to electrify will usually be those with predictable mileage, depot charging, fixed delivery schedules, and urban or regional routes. These operations are easier to control both operationally and financially making them the more practical option.

It is likely the operators will run mixed fleets for years, with electric trucks handling city deliveries, regional transport and repeatable routes, whilst diesel will stay in place for irregular journeys, remote coverage and heavy long-haul operations. This will mean a transition through gradual fleet optimisation rather than a complete overnight replacement.

What fleet operators should be doing now

Planning matters for all fleet operators, even if immediate electrification does not. It is important to begin preparing strategically by auditing route mileage, identifying return-to-base vehicles and assessing depot electrical capacity. There should also be a review of total cost of ownership and research of grants and funding support that might be available. Fleet operators should also speak with charging infrastructure providers and start training their drivers and maintenance teams in readiness.

Trialling a small number of electric vehicles will allow businesses to understand their real-world performance and assess realistic charging requirements. They can evaluate the operational impact and gather driver feedback. By planning early, it is possible for fleets to avoid disruption as regulations and customer expectations continue to evolve.

Electric trucking is no longer theoretical, and adoption is already happening in a number of areas. Whilst there are still major barriers to overcome, the future of trucking is likely to involve mixed fleets and phased adoption rather than a sudden end to diesel use. Businesses who start preparing now are likely to be in the strongest position as technology, infrastructure and regulation change.