A Transport & Environment analysis found that the sharp rise in diesel prices linked to the war in Iran this year has made electric trucks cheaper to own and operate than their diesel-powered counterparts in six major European Union markets, which account for around 46% of new heavy-truck registrations in the bloc.
According to the report published Monday, electric trucks purchased in 2026 can generate five-year savings of up to €100,000 ($113,910) in the Netherlands, €85,000 in Germany and €69,000 in Denmark compared with diesel trucks.
In these markets, operators can recover the higher upfront cost of an electric truck in roughly two years.
The report examined the total cost of owning and operating trucks in nine European countries and found that electric trucks are already cheaper than diesel models in the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France and Belgium.
The organization said higher diesel prices, following a rise in oil prices linked to the war in Iran, have strengthened the commercial case for switching to electric trucks. The transition to electric heavy-duty vehicles in Europe remains slow, however, due to high purchase prices and insufficient battery-charging infrastructure.
Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday amid continued tensions linked to the war in Iran and concerns over oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.
By 00:36 GMT, Brent crude futures had risen $1.32, or 1.27%, to $105.64 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 70 cents, or 0.76%, to $93.11 a barrel.
Meanwhile, preliminary data from Kpler showed that crude oil exports from major Middle Eastern producers recovered in September to 12.8 million barrels per day, their highest level since the war began in February, driven by increased shipments from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Shipments through the Strait of Hormuz have also recovered and are expected to reach around 7.4 million barrels per day this month, according to the data.
In the truck market, European manufacturers including Daimler Truck, Volvo and Scania, part of the Traton Group, are preparing for increased competition from lower-cost Chinese manufacturers. Some Chinese electric trucks are expected to be priced around 30% below comparable European models.
The organization estimated the cost of a Chinese-made electric truck at around €210,000, compared with €265,000 for a comparable European model. Operators in Germany could save an additional €34,000 over five years by choosing a Chinese-made electric truck.
Source: Reuters
