When will electric trucks become more widely used for sustainable logistics?

Electric cars are becoming more and more common. In fact, one in every seven passenger vehicles sold in 2022 was an electric vehicle (EV), so the chance of experiencing the quiet sound of an EV whizzing by is increasing. But why haven’t we seen the same leap with electric trucks? Only 0.1% of the heavy duty trucks ran on electricity in 2021. According to Maersk's Head of Energy Transition, Julia Heil, trucking is around 10 years behind passenger cars in terms of electrification. Heil, explains that the technology is already in place, but a number of factors needs to develop in order for electric trucking to be a viable alternative to fossil-fuel powered trucks.

Electrification of trucks challenges

The greatest challenge for the electrification of trucks is cost. Currently electric truck-solutions are not economically comparable to diesel-fuelled trucks. The good news, however, is that electrical solutions can easily become cheaper than their diesel counterparts. But in order for this to be the case, all stakeholders need to invest. Invest in infrastructure, invest in production, and invest in expanding the electric grid for charging capabilities on a global level. But it all starts with the push from the end; with consumers demanding eco-friendly solutions and stakeholders committing to providing these solutions.

Get more insights from Julia Heil, Head of Energy Transition Execution at Maersk, by watching the video above.