Germany remains a key market for the electrification of heavy transport in Europe, though its leadership is no longer as unquestionable as it was a few years ago.
The political landscape creates an environment of uncertainty that slows down certain strategic decisions.
“Electrification in Germany is like dancing the tango: two steps forward and one step back,” points out Bruno Lukas, founder of Green Logistics Enabler (GLE), to Mobility Portal Europe.
In this regard, the consultant suggests that while the country is likely still leading in volume, it no longer plays the pioneering role it did five years ago.
He attributes this shift primarily to political debates that have hindered some key initiatives, such as the abrupt end of the KsNI subsidy programme, which left many hauliers in a state of uncertainty.
Nevertheless, the new CO2 toll introduced in December 2023 brought some relief.
This system exempts electric trucks from paying the toll until the end of this year, while diesel vehicles must bear higher costs.
From 2026 onwards, zero-emission vehicles will also pay the toll, although at only 25% of the rate paid by diesel vehicles.
“An electric truck with an annual mileage of 100,000 kilometres on motorways can save up to 30,000 euros just in toll fees,” explains Lukas.
At the same time, the elections on 23 February intensify tensions within the sector.
“The conservative and right-wing parties view electrification with scepticism,” says Lukas.
Despite this, manufacturers and logistics operators did not halt their electrification plans.
Large companies have started committing to the purchase of electric fleets, particularly due to the advantages they identify in the total cost of ownership (TCO) and to meet European targets.
This is reflected in the registrations for the past year.
According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Germany registered 3,413 electric trucks in 2024, representing an increase of 57.4% compared to the previous year.
It is noteworthy that France follows with 1,313 registrations, showing a decrease of 57.4% compared to the 3,085 recorded in 2023.
“Regulations and customer demands are driving the transition, which is positive for the sector,” says Lukas.
What is the German recipe for leading the adoption of eTrucks?
For Sebastian Wolff, co-founder of FRYTE Mobility, the key to Germany’s leadership in truck electrification lies in a combination of infrastructure, the automotive industry, and strategic location.
“Germany is home to two of the largest truck manufacturers in Europe,” he explains to Mobility Portal Europe.
He adds: “This gives us a privileged position in terms of technology and the development of electric heavy vehicles.”
Another factor he highlights is its geographical location.
“We are a transit country. Many trucks must pass through Germany to travel from east to west Europe, making us a key point for the electrification of freight transport,” he states.
This is further complemented by initiatives promoted by the local government, such as the Deutschlandnetz programme, which aims to expand the charging infrastructure on motorways and logistics centres.
“Last but not least, Germany is quite wealthy,” he points out.
In this regard, he explains that logistics companies have the financial resources required to experiment with electric trucks.
Meanwhile, this is not the case in other regions of Europe, where the availability of funds to invest in such initiatives is limited.
“Logistics is a highly competitive market in terms of costs, and few companies have the freedom to begin experimenting with expensive eTrucks at this moment,” he adds.
