Europe Electric Truck Market Slowed by Policy Gaps, Says Milence

Milence report finds Europe’s electric truck market growing but slowed by policy gaps and uneven infrastructure. Explore key trends and what it means for freight.

Europe’s electric truck market has already proven it can work in real-world logistics, yet it still lacks one decisive element for large-scale growth — consistent policy. This is the central finding of a new Milence white paper examining the readiness of 14 countries to transition to zero-emission road freight.

The technology itself is no longer the bottleneck. Battery-electric heavy-duty trucks are already operating in commercial fleets, delivering reliable performance and, in some markets, competitive total cost of ownership. However, the expected self-reinforcing cycle — where more vehicles drive infrastructure expansion and cost reductions — has yet to fully emerge.

This uneven progress is visible across Europe. Countries such as the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland have moved beyond pilot stages and are building stable demand. In the Netherlands, electric trucks already offer cost advantages in certain real-world scenarios. Germany strengthens the business case through a full exemption from road tolls for zero-emission trucks until 2031, while Sweden benefits from relatively low electricity prices. Many other markets, however, remain at an early stage.

Policy, rather than technology, is shaping the pace of adoption. Milence highlights that leading markets rely on a combination of measures — including purchase subsidies, access to financing, CO₂-based road pricing and reduced taxes — rather than a single incentive. A lack of alignment across countries is creating a fragmented transition, which could complicate cross-border freight operations.

Charging infrastructure is expanding but still needs to accelerate. Europe now has roughly 1,800 truck-suitable charging points along major freight corridors, while Milence is building a network of dedicated hubs across several countries. At the same time, national programs are scaling up investment — Germany alone has approved billions of euros in funding for new charging sites along highways. Even so, deployment is not yet keeping pace with the needs of a rapidly electrifying fleet.

The economics are gradually shifting in favor of electric trucks. Industry data shows that operating costs can already be significantly lower than diesel in certain conditions, supported by rising fuel prices and regulatory incentives. Looking ahead, the EU’s ETS2 carbon pricing system is expected to further increase the cost of fossil fuels in transport, strengthening the financial case for electrification.

Despite strong growth in sales — with zero-emission trucks now accounting for a small but rising share of the European market — the sector is still far from maturity. Compared to China, where adoption is advancing much faster, Europe’s transition remains uneven and incomplete.

The conclusion is clear: the technology is ready, infrastructure is improving, and the business case is strengthening. Without faster and more coordinated policy action, however, Europe risks maintaining a multi-speed transition that could slow the shift to zero-emission freight.