DEKRA and BGL: zero-emission trucks are ready, but grid and charging must catch up
At DEKRA's Commercial Vehicles Future Day 2026, industry leaders said battery-electric trucks are already cost-competitive, but faster grid connections and reliable policy are needed for mass adoption.
- 350 locations
- 60 km
- 100 km
- 1 billion euros
What Happened
There was consensus at the DEKRA Lausitzring that the rollout of zero-emission commercial vehicles is no longer held back by vehicle technology: manufacturers, the trailer industry, and technology providers are bringing market-ready solutions to the road. The key factor is making the business case work across the entire value chain. Manufacturers need reliable demand to expand capacity and reduce costs. Transport companies focus on total operating costs, the right operational profile, and high-performance charging infrastructure with sufficient grid capacity and competitive energy prices. Charging infrastructure operators need predictable grid connections, robust utilization prospects, and a reliable political framework.
Discussions made clear that battery-electric trucks can already be more cost-effective to operate than diesel-powered ones today—especially when freight carriers generate their own electricity for depot charging using photovoltaic systems. However, participants agreed that planning reliability from long-term policy frameworks, faster grid connections, and better integration of depot and public charging infrastructure are crucial to accelerating the ramp-up.
“Our companies are ready to invest in the transition to electric vehicles. To do so, however, they need more than just physically available vehicles. Grid connection, charging capacity, energy prices, route planning, and customer requirements must come together to form an economically viable overall system. Only then will this become a scalable model for small and medium-sized enterprises.”
Speaking for the German federal government, State Secretary Dr. Claudia Elif Stutz said the government has a duty to expand public charging infrastructure along highways and is already implementing this. The bidding process for the fast-charging network, comprising 350 locations, is partly underway and partly completed. By 2030, there will be a charging station every 60 kilometers in the core network and every 100 kilometers in the overall network. The federal government has also announced 1 billion euros in funding over the next four years for charging infrastructure at transport companies' depots.
“Technological progress is clearly visible. However, for widespread adoption, new vehicle and charging systems must function safely, reliably, and consistently. Independent testing, real-world trials, and robust standards are therefore essential prerequisites for turning innovative solutions into a functioning market.”
At the Innovation Hub, exhibitors presented the latest vehicles and solutions in charging infrastructure, battery technology, energy supply, and transportation. Attendees drove battery-electric commercial vehicles on the racetrack under real-world conditions and toured the DEKRA Battery Test Center, where battery systems are tested for safety, performance, and service life under extreme mechanical, thermal, and electrical loads. Nearly 300 guests attended the Commercial Vehicles Future Day 2026, which BGL and DEKRA aim to use to advance dialogue among the sector, industry, the energy sector, and policymakers.
Why this matters
For beginners: the event signals that the main barrier to zero-emission trucking is not the vehicles themselves but the surrounding system—charging infrastructure, grid capacity, and long-term policy. That affects freight carriers deciding whether to invest, charging operators planning networks, and policymakers setting targets. If these pieces come together, electric trucks could become the cheaper, scalable choice for small and mid-sized transport compa…
Terms in This Story
- Depot charging
- Charging of electric vehicles at a company's own parking or loading site, often done overnight or during downtime.
- Photovoltaic system
- A solar power system that converts sunlight into electricity, which can be used to charge electric vehicles.
- Fast-charging network
- A network of high-power charging stations that can recharge electric vehicles much more quickly than standard chargers.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.