Diesel dominance persists in European heavy-duty transport

Diesel engines continue to dominate the European heavy-duty vehicle market, accounting for over 92 percent of new truck registrations in the first half of 2026. While the electric truck segment is growing rapidly, its market share remains low, with reports indicating electric trucks represent between 0.3 and 4.8 percent of the market depending on the specific data set used.

Several structural barriers hinder the transition to electric heavy transport. Unlike passenger cars, trucks operate under tight schedules and carry heavy loads, making long charging stops economically difficult. The transition is further complicated by the high average age of the EU truck fleet, which is approximately 14 years and sometimes exceeds 20 years.

Alternative fuels are emerging as transitional solutions. Hydrogenated vegetable oil (HVO) allows companies to reduce emissions without immediate fleet replacement, though raw material availability is limited. Other alternatives include bioLNG, though its production is constrained by the availability of renewable biomass. Regional disparities in infrastructure development between Western and Central/Eastern Europe also impact the pace of decarbonization.