Depot electrification is a fundamental requirement for heavy-duty freight transport, one of the most significant contributors to emissions in Europe. In 2021, trucks and buses accounted for 28% of CO2 emissions in the EU transport sector, despite making up only 2% of the total vehicle fleet.

A recent study by T&E  highlights a crucial point: accelerating the uptake of electric trucks requires urgent investment in charging infrastructure, with a clear priority given to depot charging. This is the key enabler for a faster and more sustainable market ramp-up. Allowing trucks to recharge during overnight stops helps optimize operating times and costs, improves fleet management, and reduces pressure on public charging networks.

Major truck manufacturers (OEMs) confirm this: electric trucks are already competitive with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles in regional freight transport. In such operations, routes are predictable, return-to-base patterns are well established, and energy needs are easier to manage. According to the OEMs’ own projections, by 2030 more than one-third of new heavy-duty vehicle sales in Europe will be electric. However, current grid expansion plans underestimate the future demand for charging electric trucks at depots. Among the countries analyzed, France is the best prepared, thanks to an already suitable medium-voltage grid, particularly in industrial zones.