
Green cube selecting the sustainable trucks driving on a road delivering globally using artificial intelligence with green technology, in the background a solar power station covering the horizon with a single wind turbine in the Netherlands. Image Credit: Artur Debat/Getty Images
EnvironmentTechnology European UnionGoing Green, One Heavy-Duty Vehicle at a Time
The European Union is seeing an increase in zero-emission heavy-duty buses, coaches and trucks.
2023 alone saw 11,000 new zero-emissions heavy-duty vehicles sold within the bloc, up from the 5,000 that were sold in 2022. As of now, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are leading the way in sales.
Heavy-duty vehicles refer to buses, coaches, and trucks weighing over 3.5 tons. The bus segment is seeing the fastest growth rate in zero-emissions vehicles, with electric buses now holding 18 per cent of the total market share. Various manufacturers, both inside and outside the European Union, are transitioning away from conventional diesel vehicles as the demand for zero emissions becomes more and more relevant. Moreover, many of these heavy-duty vehicles are being used for public transportation, which reduces emissions compared to individual cars. This transition can impact emissions within the European Union, and hopefully, other countries around the world will soon join in.