Practicality & Economic Viability of Electric Trucks

The silence emitted by a battery-electric truck as it glides through the city in the early morning is still unfamiliar to many. Yet, in the depots of German and European logistics companies, this silence is increasingly becoming the soundtrack of a transformation that is fundamentally changing freight transport. What was considered a niche product for urban delivery services just a few years ago is now conquering larger segments of the logistics chain, thanks to increasing range and efficiency. The experiences of pioneers show: the electric truck is no longer a distant dream, but a practical reality that requires a readjustment of processes and infrastructure.

At a glance: Electric trucks have reached cost parity with diesel vehicles in many logistics segments and, according to a sennder study from June 2025, are already economically competitive in Germany. The key to success lies in the intelligent interplay of efficient charging infrastructure, optimized route planning, and the strategic adaptation of supply chains. Companies that invest now secure competitive advantages and actively contribute to decarbonization.

The Quiet Promise: Electric Trucks Conquer City Logistics

In Ditzingen, near Stuttgart, Emons Spedition has been writing a new chapter in city logistics since June 2024. A fully electric FUSO eCanter has been delivering goods to downtown Stuttgart daily ever since. After about a year in operation, Emons drew a highly positive conclusion in October 2025: the electric truck completed 164 tours with a total mileage of 12,571 kilometers, significantly exceeding the project goal. On average, the eCanter covered 77 kilometers per tour, transporting around 2.5 tons of goods for textile shops and small businesses in the city area. Thanks to certified green electricity, 100 percent of the CO₂ emissions that a comparable diesel truck would have caused were saved—amounting to approximately 9 tons of CO₂ during the project period.

However, the path was not without hurdles. Emons had to finance the charging infrastructure out of its own pocket, as an application for a subsidized charging station was rejected because the location was a few meters outside the city limits. But the advantages outweigh the costs. Rüdiger Bausch, who was instrumental in initiating the project, emphasized as early as June 2024 the higher quality of life due to less noise and exhaust fumes that the electric truck brings to the city. These practical examples illustrate that the use of electric trucks in urban areas is not only ecologically but also operationally compelling, even if infrastructure challenges remain.

The Mid-Range as the "Sweet Spot": When the Range is Sufficient

While city traffic is a natural domain for electric trucks, the boundaries of practicality are increasingly shifting into the mid-range sector. Modern electric trucks now offer ranges between 300 and 500 kilometers, which, according to a study by Fraunhofer ISI and Einride from June 2025, is sufficient for a large portion of total truck traffic in Germany. This study, which analyzed over 38,000 delivery trips by the retail company REWE, found that software-supported optimization of route and charging planning at the fleet level can significantly increase the share of electrified truck trips while simultaneously reducing costs. Instead of replacing diesel trucks 1:1, which would only move 57 percent of goods electrically, up to 85 percent of the transported goods volume can be moved electrically with optimized planning. Patrick Plötz, Head of the Energy Economy Business Unit at Fraunhofer ISI, emphasizes: "If fleet operators switch entirely or partially to electric trucks, they should also optimize their routes."

DACHSER, an industry pioneer, had already put its 100th electric truck into operation in January 2025. The logistics provider continues to expand its fleet and, in July 2025, took delivery of the first seven of a total of 15 fully electric Mercedes eActros 600s for long-haul transport, which are to be used at locations such as Hamburg, Karlsruhe, Dortmund, and Freiburg. Christoph Kellermann, Operations Manager European Logistics at the DACHSER logistics center in Hamburg, is convinced: "The vehicle shows that e-mobility in logistics is coming of age and that fully practical solutions are now available for food logistics or long-haul general cargo transport."

The Janssen forwarding company from Leer has also initiated a remarkable transformation. Nanno Janssen, assistant to the management of the eponymous company, reported in July 2025 that they intend to convert their entire truck fleet largely to electric drive. The family business has been running its first electric trucks from Volvo, Scania, and Iveco for over a year. But it was only the Mercedes eActros 600, which they have been using in daily operations since July 2025 and which has a range of up to 500 kilometers when fully loaded, that tipped the scales for the comprehensive technology shift. "It was the right decision to make these investments," says Nanno Janssen. Driver Joachim Kortland clocks 3,500 kilometers a week and enjoys the quiet in the cab: "The noise level is zero," and the "incredibly high power" of the electric truck also impresses him on inclines. He emphasizes that many initial concerns, which "took place in the head," do not exist in reality.

Giants on New Paths: Long-Haul Transport as a Challenge and Opportunity

Long-haul transport was long considered the last bastion of the diesel engine, but here, too, the limits are increasingly being explored. DB Schenker is not afraid to put new electric models through their paces. In January 2025, DB Schenker received the first ten of a total of 100 MAN eTGX Ultra tractor units, which are to be integrated into the fleet by 2026. These vehicles are specifically designed for high loading volumes and allow the use of mega-trailers with an internal height of three meters. Marc Pühler, Senior Vice President System Operations at DB Schenker in Europe, highlights that the eTGX are used in daily line-haul operations in the general cargo network in two-shift operation, for example, in a round trip between two terminals like Dortmund and Hannover.

DACHSER already completed a particularly ambitious project in November 2024: A Renault Trucks E-Tech D from Bad Salzuflen drove to Hungary for a charitable cause—a distance of 2,100 kilometers round trip. Matthias Syrbe, who works in dispatch, was initially respectful of the long journey, but careful planning of charging times and options along the route dispelled all concerns. "Based on the information we had then, regarding charging time, batteries, range, and the vehicle's technology—combined with the charging options along the route—I had no concerns at all," says Syrbe.

Schlager Transport Logistik GmbH in Austria covered over one million kilometers in daily operations with five electric trucks in just 20 months, up to November 2025. In the process, 240,000 liters of diesel were saved and replaced by green electricity—about 60 percent of this electricity comes from their own 765 kWp photovoltaic system, supported by a 1.6 MW energy storage unit. Hubert Schlager, the company's managing director, emphasizes the strategic importance of self-generated energy and the holistic approach: "We can't drill for oil on the company premises, but we can produce electricity. That is a real game changer." He warns against using an electric truck "without your own charging infrastructure, storage, PV electricity, and load management," as this would be uneconomical. The vehicles operate with a range of around 500 kilometers per charging cycle and cover 400 kilometers again after about 60 minutes of fast charging. By 2030, the entire fleet is to be emission-free.

The Challenge of Charging Infrastructure and Optimized Processes: The Path to a Smooth Flow

The success of battery-electric trucks depends significantly on a robust charging infrastructure. Nanno Janssen from Janssen Spedition gives a drastic practical tip: "Don't try it, because it's a horror for everyone involved"—he is referring to the difficulties when your own charging infrastructure is not yet working and you are dependent on public charging points.

Many logistics companies are therefore investing heavily in their own charging solutions. According to a PwC analysis from September 2024, 6.1 billion euros in public investment for 720 charging parks and 28.6 billion euros for the construction of around 28,500 charging points in logistics depots will be needed in Europe by 2035.

At the European level, however, expansion is being pushed forward. Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, Traton, and the Volvo Group, is investing heavily. They plan to build a total of 70 charging hubs with 570 charging points in ten European countries by the end of 2025, with the main focus on Germany, where 25 hubs are to be built. The first three German locations were opened in July 2025 in Recklinghausen (near the A2), Koblenz (A61), and Kirchberg an der Jagst (A6). Anja van Niersen, CEO of Milence, explained at the opening in Recklinghausen: "Germany is the heart and central hub of European road freight transport. Emission-free transport is not only feasible, it is also slowly becoming economically viable and offers clear economic advantages." Tobias Prenzel, Head of Business Development & Partnerships at Milence, emphasizes that existing passenger car charging infrastructure is not suitable for trucks, neither in terms of design nor capacity, which is why a dedicated network is mandatory. By the end of 2025, eight Milence locations are expected to be in operation in Germany.

In addition to hardware, intelligent planning is crucial. The Fraunhofer ISI study from June 2025 underscores that software-supported optimization of route and charging planning at the fleet level can significantly improve the economic efficiency of electric trucks, as range is better utilized and truck utilization is increased. This reduces the need for oversized batteries and lowers total costs.

Conclusion: The Future Runs on Electricity—With Brains and Foresight

The transformation of road freight transport toward e-mobility is in full swing and is exceeding initial expectations in many areas. Electric trucks are already a practical and economically attractive solution in city logistics and regional distribution, fully playing out their strengths in terms of zero emissions, low noise, and sufficient range. They are also proving their worth for mid-range distances and increasingly in long-haul transport, especially on plannable routes with established charging points or through careful planning and intermediate charging.

A decisive factor is economic efficiency. According to a current study by the online freight forwarder sennder from June 2025, Germany is already the only major European market in 2025 where electric trucks are economically competitive. The study predicts that electric trucks will be cheaper than diesel models in many regions by 2030. For medium and light urban electric trucks, TCO parity with diesel vehicles has already been reached. For heavy-duty trucks in long-haul transport, this parity is expected to be reached between 2025 and 2026.

Despite the overall declining total truck market in the EU in the first nine months of 2025, which fell by 9.8 percent, electric trucks are recording significant growth. The market share of e-trucks in the EU reached 3.8 percent in this period, compared to 2.1 percent in the same period last year. Germany stands out as a pioneer, with 900 registered heavy-duty e-trucks (+19% compared to the previous year) in the first nine months of 2025, which accounts for more than a quarter of all heavy-duty e-truck registrations in the EU.

The key to success lies in the intelligent combination of vehicle technology, a robust charging infrastructure—both in the depot and public—and adapted logistics processes. Forwarding companies that actively tackle this challenge and invest in the electrification of their fleets as well as the necessary digital planning will not only make an important contribution to climate protection but also secure decisive competitive advantages. The quiet giants of the road are on the rise and are redefining the future of freight transport.

Frequently Asked Questions

What advantages do electric trucks offer for logistics companies?

Electric trucks offer logistics companies a number of advantages, including the reduction of CO₂ emissions and noise pollution, which is particularly important in urban areas. In addition, they can be economically attractive due to lower operating costs, such as for energy and maintenance, as well as toll exemptions, and can already make total operating costs competitive in some segments.

When will electric trucks reach cost parity with diesel trucks?

For medium and light electric trucks, cost parity (Total Cost of Ownership, TCO) with diesel vehicles has already been reached. For heavy-duty trucks in long-haul transport, it is expected that TCO parity will be reached between 2025 and 2026. A study by sennder from June 2025 sees e-trucks in Germany as already economically competitive in 2025, ahead of other major European markets.

What role does charging infrastructure play in the success of e-trucks?

A robust and well-developed charging infrastructure is crucial for the success of electric trucks. Logistics companies are increasingly investing in their own depot charging solutions, while the expansion of public megawatt charging stations along main traffic arteries is being pushed forward at the European level to also enable long-haul transport. Without a holistic ecosystem of own charging infrastructure, storage, and load management, economic use is difficult, as Hubert Schlager of Schlager Transport emphasizes.

Key Takeaways

Practicality: Electric trucks are already fully practical for city and mid-range logistics and are showing initial successes in long-haul transport, especially on plannable routes.
Cost Parity: The Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of electric trucks has already reached that of diesel vehicles for medium-duty vehicles and will match or undercut them for heavy-duty trucks by 2026 at the latest.
Infrastructure & Planning: The massive expansion of charging infrastructure, both in the depot and public, as well as intelligent, software-supported route and charging planning are crucial for efficient fleet electrification.
First Step: Analyze the route profiles of your fleet and identify potential for the use of e-trucks, supported by optimized route planning and the development of your own charging infrastructure to secure long-term competitive advantages.

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