Global electric truck and bus sales nearly double in 2025

Global sales of electric trucks and buses almost doubled in 2025, with approximately half a million vehicles sold, marking an 86% increase compared to the previous year, according to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).

“

The biggest problem remains infrastructure and charging.

China was the primary driver of this growth, accounting for nearly 90% of worldwide electric truck sales. The study indicated that sales of medium and heavy-duty electric trucks more than quintupled in just two years. In 2025, nearly 30% of heavy-duty trucks sold in China were fully electric, a trend supported by declining battery costs and state subsidies.

Beyond China, other key markets also experienced increased demand. The European Union, India, Brazil, and the United Kingdom reported double-digit growth rates, largely attributed to the expansion of electric bus fleets. Electric buses constituted 17% of all bus sales globally. Outside of China and the United States, electric buses accounted for over half of all sales of zero-emission medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. The EU led this segment with approximately 9,800 vehicles sold, followed by India with about 5,000.

“

Diesel is comparatively not an expensive energy source.

Despite the overall growth, Karin Rådström, CEO of Daimler Truck, pointed to significant hurdles for electric truck adoption. "The biggest problem remains infrastructure and charging," she stated, noting that potential adopters are uncertain about the availability of charging facilities along their routes. Achieving cost parity with conventional diesel trucks is another major challenge, dependent on electricity and diesel prices. Rådström emphasized that customers operate on thin profit margins and cannot afford costly experiments, making diesel a more viable option for many in the current economic climate.

“

They cannot afford expensive experiments.