Four in 10 fleet decision-makers regard battery electric trucks as a more economical alternative to diesel trucks, according to a new survey by Daimler Trucks.
In the study, more than 40% of respondents said they considered electric trucks the more cost-effective solution from a total cost of ownership (TCO) perspective.
Daimler Trucks conducted the non-representative survey among 197 fleet decision-makers based in three of Europe’s largest truck markets: Germany (71), France (62) and the UK (64).
According to 16% of respondents, both technologies are roughly on par, and only about one quarter see a cost advantage for diesel trucks.
Also, nearly a quarter of the surveyed fleet operators are already using battery-electric trucks today.
At the same time, the survey highlights that further market ramp-up strongly depends on the expansion of charging infrastructure, and about two-thirds of respondents rate electricity costs as at least as predictable as diesel costs.
However, when it comes to the predictability of electricity access, meaning the availability of charging infrastructure, 61% see electric mobility being at a disadvantage.
Daimler Truck said it regularly surveys fleet operators and transport decision-makers to better understand market requirements, investment criteria and acceptance of new drive technologies.
Achim Puchert, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, said: “Our customers are already operating battery-electric trucks economically in many applications today, including long-haul transport.
“To further accelerate the transformation, we must strengthen the entire ecosystem, especially by expanding charging infrastructure.
“This is how we create the conditions for turning individual success stories into a new transport standard.”
