Sales of new energy heavy-duty trucks in China surged in the first half of this year, with applications expanding beyond traditional port and coal-transport routes into urban logistics and cross-provincial freight, a clear sign that the push for green, low-carbon transport is gaining real momentum.
A batch of brand-new electric heavy trucks was recently delivered in Zoucheng City, east China's Shandong Province, reflecting the growing confidence of logistics companies in adopting the technology.
"In previous years, we didn't dare to invest on a large scale. This year, as charging stations for heavy trucks are now available along long-distance routes nationwide, we are updating our entire fleet," said Li Shiqiu, purchasing director at Shandong Shenghang Zhiye Economic and Trade Co., Ltd.
As China's charging and battery swap networks improve, companies are more willing to make large-scale purchases, driven by clear economic benefits. Four years ago, a new energy heavy truck cost over 800,000 yuan (118,500 U.S. dollars). Two years ago, the price dropped to just over 600,000 yuan. This year, the government allocated 22 billion yuan in special long-term bonds to support the scrapping and replacement of old trucks. As a result, more logistics firms are accelerating the switch from diesel to electric.
"For a trip of 500 kilometers, the cost difference between diesel and electricity is about 400 yuan. For our company's 100 trucks, that adds up to more than 10 million yuan in savings a year," said Gu Jianxi, general manager of Ningbo Xiyuan Logistics Co., Ltd.
The use of new energy heavy trucks is extending from short-haul transport to interprovincial routes. With charging and battery swap stations now common along major corridors, drivers are increasingly confident about racking up long distances.
"Battery swapping for new energy heavy trucks takes five minutes, just like filling up with diesel. It doesn't affect my transport schedule at all," said Tang Hanmin, a heavy truck driver.
According to the Ministry of Transport, in the first half of this year, China sold about 140,000 new energy heavy trucks, up 78.6 percent year on year. The industry is shifting from a diesel-dominated market to one characterized by diversity and rapid growth in new energy vehicles.
Looking ahead, China plans to build 30,000 kilometers of zero-carbon freight transportation highways and more than 3,000 supporting charging and battery swap stations for heavy trucks by 2030.
"The next step is to integrate energy supply facilities with transport infrastructure in planning and construction, overcoming key bottlenecks from short-haul to long-distance operations, and realizing large-scale, commercialized deployment," said Liu Xin, president of Transport Planning and Research Institute, Ministry of Transport.
China's new energy truck sales surge in H1
