Grid access is becoming another significant obstacle. Even when operators are willing to invest, deployment frequently faces delays due to limited capacity, lengthy connection times, power delivery reliability, and unpredictable electricity expenses. The three A’s of the grid — accessibility, affordability, and assurance — will be crucial for the successful electrification business model.
Simultaneously, charging and refueling infrastructure must expand at a much faster pace. Approximately 70 percent of heavy-duty vehicle charging is projected to occur at depots, logistics centers, and operational bases, yet policy support remains predominantly focused on publicly accessible charging. While public charging is vital, it will not suffice alone. Public, semi-private, and private infrastructure must operate as a cohesive system.
Investment conditions must also be enhanced, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises that constitute the majority of the sector and struggle with high upfront costs for vehicles and infrastructure. Investments could become less risky with policymakers supporting them through grants, guarantees, and blended finance. CO2-differentiated taxation and favorable tolling schemes across the EU can substantially reduce the total cost of ownership of zero-emission vehicles.
The transition includes a powerful financing mechanism. If revenues from road transport, including ETS2 (a new emissions trading system) and road charging revenues, are reinvested in the sector’s decarbonization, they could provide the investment scale needed to expedite change. But who will ensure these funds return to the sector that generates them?
Policy must also account for operational diversity. Commercial road transport encompasses various use cases. Long-haul freight, regional logistics, urban delivery, scheduled bus services, and long-distance coach operations all encounter distinct technical and economic challenges. A uniform approach will not suffice. While electrification will be key, it cannot be the sole solution. Sustainable renewable and low-carbon fuels, including renewable and synthetic fuels, will be vital for long-distance operations and vehicle segments where alternatives are limited.
Commercial road transport should thus not be viewed solely as a sector to regulate or decarbonize separately. It should be acknowledged as a strategic enabler of resilience, competitiveness, and economic security.
A cohesive EU policy framework, including technology-neutral CO2 standards for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles, must recognize road transport as a long-term market for clean fuels. This would not only hasten decarbonization in road transport but also aid the aviation and maritime sectors, which are anticipated to depend heavily on these fuels to meet their climate goals.
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