Germany's trucking industry is experiencing remarkable growth, with official data showing 3,827,663 trucks registered as of January 1, 2025. This figure reflects a 2.4% increase from the previous year, significantly outpacing the growth of other vehicle categories, such as passenger cars, which saw only a 0.5% increase. The trend emphasizes the growing demand for road freight transport, which plays a pivotal role in the German economy.
Among the registered trucks, 357,301 were identified as tractor units, marking a 1.8% rise compared to the prior year. Notably, North Rhine-Westphalia leads the country with the highest number of truck registrations at 799,913, followed by Bavaria, where 607,223 trucks are registered. Conversely, Bremen recorded the fewest registrations with only 21,063 trucks, and Berlin had 118,766 registered trucks.
Within this burgeoning industry, electric trucks are gradually becoming more prevalent. From 2021 to 2023, the number of e-powered vehicles on German roads nearly doubled, showcasing Germany's dedication to advancing sustainable logistics. This commitment is reflected not just by the registration of electric trucks but also by the incentives provided to promote their adoption. Notably, purely electrically powered vehicles are exempt from vehicle taxes until 2030, making them more appealing to operators.
One of the leading logistics companies, Contargo, has played a significant role in this transition. Since operating its first electric trucks back in 2019, the company has successfully secured funding for 90 electric trucks and the installation of 90 fast charging points. Kristiane Schmidt, Sustainability Manager at Contargo, stated, "We expect to switch all short-distance transports to electric trucks within the next year. We have committed ourselves not to purchase new diesel trucks, focusing solely on electric trucks moving forward. By 2035, we aim to include 40% electric trucks within our fleet." With roughly 1,000 trucks overall—300 for long-distance transport and 700 for short-distance—Contargo is establishing itself as one of the frontrunners of this transformation.
Germany's investment in electric truck infrastructure also includes the newest generation of electric trucks, such as the eActros 600, which boasts a range of 500 kilometers on a single charge. Presently, there are 230 charging points spread over 54 locations across Germany, totaling 37,000 kW of charging capacity. Plans for 351 additional locations aim to provide about three-and-a-half million kilowatts of added grid connection capacity, improving the overall infrastructure significantly.
Despite the optimistic development of electric trucks, challenges remain for the industry. One considerable hurdle is the need for charging infrastructure to support heavy vehicles. Schmidt highlighted this issue, stating, "Most charging stations are currently geared toward passenger cars. The infrastructure must be modified to accommodate higher power needs for trucks.” Currently, there are only limited routes across Germany where electric trucks can reliably operate due to charging point availability, especially for long-haul transport.
Reflecting on the broader European logistics framework, Germany has established itself as the central hub, facilitating transport across the continent. Schmidt explained, "Whenever you want to go from Poland to France, you typically cross Germany, making it pivotal for combined transport solutions. The infrastructure and regulations need to be aligned to support this shift.” This strategic positioning is underscored by Germany's commitment to the hydrogen pipeline project: set to connect Northern Africa and Southern Europe, allowing for more than 163 terawatt-hours of hydrogen annually.
Germany's push for sustainable mobility is echoed by the commercial sector, with increasing investments from players like MAN Truck & Bus, which reported annual revenues of approximately 14.8 billion euros for 2023. With the growing emphasis on electric vehicles, Nils Heine, Vice President for Go-To-Market and Alternative Drives at MAN, stated, "Decarbonization is key, and we need to ramp up the transition to electric and hydrogen solutions within the logistics sector." MAN aims to integrate both diesel and electric vehicle production within the same facilities to facilitate this shift.
Despite these advancements, the transition encounters resistance due to higher upfront costs of electric vehicles, which current estimates show can be 2.5 times more expensive than diesel variants. Heine remarked, "The total cost of ownership will align over time, but the initial investment remains challenging for transport companies.” He advocates for consistent governmental support and investment frameworks to help logistics firms navigate this transition.
The industry’s focus on sustainability is not only financially motivated but also increasingly becoming part of corporate social responsibility strategies. Businesses are showing willingness to invest more for green solutions, particularly larger companies concerned with their carbon footprints. For operators like Contargo, engaging subcontractors and customers to facilitate conversions to electric logistics is part of their long-term strategy.
Heine concluded, "Driving electric trucks is not only about compliance; it brings about comfort, efficiency, and emission reductions. We need to encourage companies to adapt and test these vehicles, which might surprise many about their driving quality and overall benefits.”
Germany stands at the cusp of dramatic change as it attempts to overhaul its logistics sector toward sustainability. While the growth of e-trucks and supportive policies signal optimistic progress, the transition requires overcoming infrastructure and investment hurdles. Only time will tell how quickly these changes will fully materialize, but the direction is clear: Germany is determined to lead the charge toward greener road transport.