Chinese electric trucks threaten European market share

A study by Transport & Environment (T&E) warns that Chinese electric truck manufacturers could significantly disrupt the European heavy-duty vehicle market. As zero-emission trucks accounted for 5.6% of new truck sales in Europe in 2025, the rapid acceleration of electrification poses a threat to established European manufacturers such as Daimler Truck, Traton, IVECO, DAF, and Volvo Group.

The primary competitive advantage for Chinese entrants is a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). T&E estimates that operating a Chinese electric truck could be up to 12% cheaper than a comparable European model. For a typical German transporter, this could result in savings of approximately 43,000 euros over five years, with costs dropping to 0.55 euro per kilometer compared to 0.63 euro for European models.

While new entrants are reportedly matching historical manufacturers in terms of range, charging time, and energy efficiency, some analysts raise questions regarding the long-term resale value of Chinese electric trucks. Conversely, established European companies maintain an advantage through their decades-old networks of maintenance and spare parts.