Are truck manufacturers meeting their decarbonization targets in the European Union? Tesla and BYD have already shown what they are capable of, now it's time to see if the European brands can keep up.
A Transport&Environment report highlights the position of the large European truck manufacturers vis-Ã -vis the two giants in the sector: Tesla and BYD.
Both brands have so far demonstrated their strong ability to build not just trucks, but zero-emission vehicles in general, as well as the ability to build strong battery supply chains.
The American and Asian manufacturers present tough competition for European brands today, not all of which come out well in the ranking prepared by T&E.
The report also demands that the European Union "more demanding standards on CO2 emissions for trucks" so that the vast majority of manufacturers that are lagging behind in the ranking can truly compete in the future against the great electric players in the sector.
Three Manufacturers, on the right path of decarbonization
According to the study carried out by T&E, only Scania, Mercedes-Benz, and MAN are well-positioned to face BYD and Tesla in the future. How is this fact analyzed? Comparing voluntary electric truck sales announcements made by brands against their true industrial plans and business activity.
The vast majority of manufacturers have a goal set on the horizon, especially at the end of this decade. However, not everyone is preparing in the same way, which means that the gap between announcements and plans does not ensure a quick transition.
Without going any further, the current leading brand in sales of electric trucks in Europe, Volvo Trucks, occupies half of the table in the study carried out by T&E. Other giants like Renault Trucs, IVECO, or DAF are lagging behind.
This is the individual situation of each of the truck brands in Europe:
- Scania, the leader in the ranking of "ambition and climate strategies" among truck manufacturers, aims for "only" 50 percent of its sales in 2030 to be electric or hydrogen, but has a "very strong industrial strategy".
- Mercedes-Benz Trucks, second, aspires in this regard to 60 percent by the end of the decade; however, T&E sees a mismatch between its announcements and its plans, having a "weaker battery strategy."
- MAN, according to the report, is in fourth position, behind Tesla, with a promise of a smaller EV range, but also a less powerful zero emissions target by 2030.
- Volvo Trucks, despite its leadership in sales (in Europe and the US), and the fact that it seeks to have 70 percent zero-emission sales by 2030, is penalized by also investing in gas and biofuels, which also emit CO2.
- Renault Trucks, touching the border between the lower-middle zone, aspires to 50 percent of sales free of emissions in 20230, but Volvo continues to invest in gas and biofuels.
- IVECO and DAF, finally, according to T&E, do not have long-term goals and have not invested enough in battery supply chains and charging networks.
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What should the big truck manufacturers do… and the EU
Transport&Environment demands urgent measures at the European level to limit CO2 emissions and that this spurs manufacturers to "get their act together", never better said, in their objective of decarbonizing road transport.
Not only that but also to provide security for investments in our continent so that there are no "leaks" to markets such as North American. There are two good examples: the ban on the sale of new diesel trucks in California by 2036 or the recent IRA law of the Government, which promotes research and aid for electric vehicles and batteries.
Given the success achieved by brands such as Tesla and BYD in the automotive market, it would not be surprising that they also do so in heavy trucking. "Tesla and BYD are about to repeat their success in the car market in the truck market."
"All this should set off the alarm bells of European legislators, who are supposed to want investments in the manufacture of vehicles and batteries to stay in our territory," reiterates Carlos Bravo.
These are some of the more specific suggestions that T&E proposes, through its “Your Heavy Duty” campaign:
Set a 65 percent reduction target for CO2 emissions in 2030, and another 100 percent reduction in 2035 for freight trucks, with the aim of removing the last polluting vehicles from European roads by 2050.
Keeping all fuels – fossil and non-fossil – out of European emission reduction regulations: this includes biofuels and electro fuels, “expensive and false climate solutions to decarbonize new trucks”, according to T&E.
Bring the application of the same regulation to "small trucks, vocational vehicles, and non-certified vehicles", so that all new trucks are regulated.
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