ELECTRIC TRUCKS SET TO REACH 5% MARKET SHARE IN EUROPE BY 2026
Sales of electric trucks in Europe are expected to continue their upward trend in 2026. According to new analysis by ING Research, the market share of heavy-duty electric trucks (over 16 tonnes) is forecast to exceed 5% in 2026, up from around 3% last year.
The growing uptake is driven primarily by government subsidies, stricter EU CO₂ emission standards, and the introduction of distance-based road charges that favour zero-emission vehicles. Together, these measures are making electric trucks an increasingly attractive option for fleet operators.
Road freight transport accounts for around 6% of the EU’s annual CO₂ emissions. The sector has committed to reducing emissions by 43% by 2030, a target that requires a rapid shift towards zero-emission vehicles. ING notes that truck manufacturers are broadly on track to meet these ambitions but warns that the limited availability of suitable charging infrastructure remains a key constraint.
To achieve the 2030 climate targets, one in three new trucks sold in the EU will need to be electric. Estimates of the size of the future fleet vary. The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) projects that the EU could have 290,000 to 340,000 electric trucks by 2030, while the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) suggests the number could rise to as many as 400,000. As of September 2025, around 22,500 electric trucks were registered across the EU.
Most electric truck sales are currently concentrated in Germany, France and the Netherlands. ING highlights a significant gap between EU countries, which could complicate the achievement of EU-wide targets. “While some Member States are already making good progress, others – particularly in Southern and Eastern Europe – still have very few electric trucks or charging facilities,” an ING Research spokesperson noted. The Netherlands, where generous subsidy schemes are in place, “is not representative of the rest of the EU.”
The findings underline both the momentum behind electric trucks and the importance of coherent EU-wide policies and infrastructure deployment to ensure a balanced and effective transition across all Member States.