Between Orientation and Optimization: The Status Quo and Perspectives of Battery-Electric Trucks in the Transport Industry

The ELV-Live synthesis report examines the current status and prospects of battery-electric trucks in the German transport industry. It is based on three standardised surveys conducted between 2024 and 2026: two surveys of companies with practical experience of using electric trucks and one representative survey of the transport sector. An earlier industry survey from 2021 is also used for comparison. The aim is to compare the expectations of the wider industry with the real-world experience of pioneering companies and to derive insights for the further market ramp-up. 

The findings reveal a clear “experience gap”: while many companies without practical experience remain sceptical about battery-electric trucks, user companies report high levels of satisfaction, technical reliability and positive driver acceptance. Satisfaction among pioneers increases with longer use, from 88 to 93 per cent. The range of applications is also expanding: with vehicles offering more than 500 kilometres of range, use is increasingly shifting from urban and regional transport towards long-distance transport. At the same time, the challenges are moving from vehicle-related issues towards systemic questions such as route planning, charging infrastructure, grid connection and economic viability. 

Depot charging is currently the central anchor of electric truck operation: among pioneering companies, it covers the largest share of electricity demand for electric fleets and is often economically attractive due to on-site power generation. Public charging has so far played only a supplementary role, but is becoming increasingly important for the ramp-up in long-distance transport. While many pioneering companies intend to procure additional electric trucks, a large share of the wider industry is still in an orientation phase. Economic framework conditions, reliable toll advantages, favourable electricity prices, accelerated grid connections and the expansion of both public and depot charging infrastructure remain decisive. Overall, the surveys indicate that, from the companies’ perspective, battery-electric trucks are becoming the key technology option for decarbonising heavy-duty road freight transport.