Electric trucks cheaper than diesel vehicles on long-haul routes in Shenzhen trial: expert

Battery-powered electric trucks driving long-distance routes from Shenzhen are more cost-effective than those powered by diesel fuel, according to an expert from a think tank.

“With the sharp decline in battery costs, which drove down the procurement costs of electric trucks by around 30 per cent by year-end compared to 2023, even some [driving] shorter routes would be competitive against diesel trucks this year,” he said in an interview.

Previously, the high cost of electric trucks could not be offset by their energy cost savings, which turned some buyers off.

“Freight trucks in Shenzhen, which predominantly ply routes to the industrial cities of Dongguan and Huizhou, will be a key growth driver for vehicle electrification,” he said.

The Guangdong provincial government is seeking to set up a number of zero-emission freight corridors in the bay area plan, as part of its decarbonisation and clean energy initiatives, he said.