Low-emissions commercial vehicle sales - fuel types in Europe 2018-2021

In 2021, the volume of hybrid-electric commercial vehicles sold on the European market reached more than 31,200 units, more than double its 2020 sale numbers. This boom in new registrations is the most noticeable compared to other segments: Fully electric vehicle sales grew by 78 percent, an increase slowed by the lack of charging stations. Meanwhile, other alternative fuels were more popular in 2021 than they were in 2020. New registrations of alternative fuel commercial vehicles increased by around 10.3 percent across Europe.

Vans were the leading commercial vehicle type

Vans weighing up to 3.5 metric tons were the most popular low-emissions commercial vehicle type in Europe, accounting for over 80 percent of the total sales of sustainably powered units in 2020. With over 15,100 light commercial vehicles bought that year, France was the leading country in Europe for new alternative fuel van registrations. The higher demand for low-emissions light-duty commercial vehicles compared to trucks and buses linked back to the more widespread availability and accessibility of charging infrastructure for electric and hybrid-electric van models. Charging outlets are more common in cities, and there is a higher use of vans for short trips and in-town traffic.

Barriers for electric heavy commercial vehicle adoption

Alternative fuels such as natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, or biofuels were more popular fuel types for the truck and bus segments, largely due to their overall better range for long-haul transport. In 2020, compressed natural gas vehicle sales amounted to some 1,100 for trucks and buses. That said, there are higher costs associated with commercial vehicles running on alternative fuels. In 2020, fully electric heavy-duty truck purchase costs amounted to some 380,500 U.S. dollars, over three times more than a diesel truck, which could have contributed to the lower adoption of electric trucks and buses by the European market.