A coalition of 11 government bodies, including the Ministry of Transport and the National Development and Reform Commission, has issued an implementation plan to expand the use of new energy heavy-duty trucks (NE-HDTs) in China. Reported by Caixin, the plan aims for NE-HDTs to account for 40% of the heavy-duty truck market by 2030, with the fleet exceeding 1.6 million units—roughly 20% of all heavy-duty trucks.
Transportation accounts for about 10% of China’s carbon emissions, and heavy-duty trucks contribute approximately 40% of transport-related emissions. NE-HDTs, defined as vehicles weighing 12 tons or more and powered primarily by electricity or other new energy sources, are seen as vital for cutting emissions and reducing pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.
Although electric heavy-duty trucks have higher upfront costs, their total cost of ownership (TCO) is significantly lower. According to CIC Consulting, the annual TCO for a diesel truck in 2024 was 797,000 yuan ($117,200), compared to 620,000 yuan ($91,200) for an electric truck. This economic edge has driven NE-HDT market share from 0.9% in 2021 to 28.9% by 2025, according to Sany Heavy Truck.
Currently, NE-HDTs are mainly deployed in short-haul operations at ports, steel plants, and mines, where they achieved over 60% penetration by 2025. Expanding into long-haul logistics faces challenges related to battery energy density and charging infrastructure under the 49-ton weight limit. To address these hurdles, the industry is investing in two key solutions:
- Megawatt-level charging: Huawei Digital Power is developing fast-charging systems capable of fully recharging a truck within a 20-minute driver rest period.
- Battery swapping: CATL operated 305 swap stations for NE-HDTs by the end of 2025 and plans to expand to 900 stations by 2026, targeting coverage of 80% of major logistics corridors by 2030.
The plan also calls for approximately 3,000 charging and swapping stations by 2030, with a goal of NE-HDTs handling 18% of highway freight volume. To support this infrastructure, the government will provide land allocation, energy guarantees, financial incentives, and preferential electricity pricing, aiming to establish zero-carbon freight corridors and sustainable business models.
Source: Car News China
