Zero-emission vehicles and buses increase market share
China, Europe, and the U.S. boosted electric bus and truck registrations in 2021. Electric bus sales rose 40% last year while the global bus industry remained flat. Global sales of electric medium- and heavy-duty trucks doubled above 2020 volumes, while total sales remained flat. Electric medium- and heavy-duty truck sales topped 14,200 in 2021, representing less than 0.3% of global registrations.
In 2021, there were 670 000 electric buses and 66 000 electric heavy-duty trucks. It’s 4% of the worldwide bus fleet and 0.1% of heavy-duty trucks.
Bus registrations
China dominates the electric bus market, and registrations are rising. Since 2018, electric bus sales in the U.S. and Europe have eroded this supremacy. India is finalizing a tender for more than 5,500 electric buses, making it one of the world’s largest electric bus marketplaces.
Increased electric bus sales in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK can be linked to national and/or city-level aims to transition to zero-emission buses and the EU Clean Vehicles Directive for member states.
Truck registrations
China’s electric truck registrations dropped to 90% in 2021 from 100% in 2017. Sales in the U.S. and Europe have risen dramatically in recent years due to more models, legislative assistance, and growing technical viability and economic competitiveness of electric trucks in particular applications.
Heavy-duty vehicle model availability expands
Electric heavy-duty vehicles are expanding in all key worldwide markets. According to the “beachhead model” of zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicle adoption, market expansion in heavy-duty segments and duty cycles where economics and supportive policy have given EVs a strong basis for market growth, such as transit buses, can help build manufacturing capacity, supply chains, and technology transfer of key electric powertrain components for subsequent waves of electrification. Initial deployment of heavy-duty vehicles in such applications might create trust in and knowledge of rapid charging needs and grid capacity.
First, EVs must be successfully deployed and show economic and societal benefits (such as reduced noise and air pollution) in early applications. Subsequent rollouts will rely on operational expertise, technology developments, and infrastructure to deploy zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles in return-to-base activities, including urban delivery vans, shuttles, school buses, and garbage trucks. Regional and long-haul freight, which have larger daily energy storage needs, will be more competitive and convenient, with increased payloads, flexibility, and autonomy. Heavy-duty vehicle commercialization patterns by segment show technology development stages. They show the growing number of models in each area.
heavy-duty vehicle charging
Depot charging (typically overnight) at moderate but sufficient rates is the common approach for commercial vehicles, regardless of duty cycle and application. Shuttles, public transit, and school buses may need high-speed opportunity charging along routes. Urban delivery vehicles may benefit from charging on public chargers in cities, e.g., when drivers take a break.
Regional and long-haul electric trucks need quick highway charging for flexibility and autonomy. Given the high construction and grid connection costs, the financial case for a very rapid charging infrastructure of more than 350 kW or 1 MW may be dubious in the early years of electric heavy-duty vehicle market implementation. Uncertainty and long lead times for heavy-duty vehicle megawatt charging capacity along transport corridors are challenges. Policies and initiatives to assist charging network development may influence the timely rollout of EV and heavy-duty vehicle charging infrastructure. Design and development must be optimized for heavy-duty vehicle operational needs. Coordination must begin with the busiest freight corridors.
Battery swapping and electric roads can power heavy-duty electric vehicles. CATL, Foton New Energy Vehicle, Geely, China Energy Investment Corporation, and Qiyuan Motive Power are testing battery swapping. These trials include battery switching for fleets of tens to hundreds in urban and regional deliveries. The central government wants to pilot battery swapping in eight locations, including three for heavy-duty vehicles, and expand it up to thousands of vehicles in the coming years. By 2022, 159 Chinese truck models will have battery switching.
Electric roads can send electricity to a truck by inductive coils2, conductive connections, or catenary (overhead) wires. Catenary and other dynamic charging systems may be cost-effective. In very fast highway charging, battery costs, capacities, and freight traffic volume determine competitiveness. Catenary systems could support logistics companies’ operating flexibility by allowing charging-on-the-move.
Siemens catenary systems with Scania trucks have been tested on highways since 2016. 15 trucks use three 13-km systems. Germany plans to build hundreds of kilometers of catenary-equipped highways with stationary charging and refueling. The UK will test a truck catenary system. France and the Netherlands have commissioned research on electric road networks’ economic and environmental sustainability. Catenary or other dynamic charging systems work on any zero-emissions powertrain system (PHEV, BEV, FCEV) with a pantograph or other onboard power transmission components.
Frequently asked questions:
Are there any heavy-duty electric trucks?
Another significant achievement was reached by Volvo Vehicles when the heavy-duty truck manufacturer announced that their enormous 44-ton electric trucks had begun rolling off the assembly line. Volvo now boasts the most extensive heavy-duty electric vehicle (EV) lineup in the industry, thanks to the company’s decision to add three of its most powerful electric truck models.
What electric truck has the highest towing capacity?
Because it has a maximum towing capacity of 11,000 pounds, the Rivian R1T is currently the electric truck that is most suited for being towed behind another vehicle. However, you should anticipate that the driving range of this electric vehicle would be reduced when used in this manner.
Will there ever be an electric version of the semi-truck?
After a rough couple of years, Nikola has constructed two electric test trucks for a trucking company in Southern California. Nikola plans to begin full-scale production of its electric trucks in 2022.
