Decarbonising heavy-duty freight transport is widely recognised by policymakers, industry representatives, and researchers as a prerequisite for achieving national climate targets and advancing sustainable transport systems. While passenger vehicle electrification continues to gain momentum, emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) remain substantial, driven by increasing freight demand and the technical and operational complexity of zero-emission solutions.
Launch of the Multi-Stakeholder Platform in Beijing
Against this background, the first Multi-Stakeholder Platform Meeting of the Working Group on Decarbonising Freight Transport in China was held in December in Beijing. Jointly organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German International Sustainable Transportation Innovation and Knowledge Center (GISTIKC), and the World Resources Institute (WRI), the meeting brought together representatives from government, industry, and academia.
Discussions during the meeting underlined that progress in this segment will play a decisive role in determining the overall effectiveness of transport decarbonisation efforts. Participants emphasised the value of the platform as a space for structured exchange, allowing different perspectives to be discussed and areas of convergence to be identified on complex policy and technology issues.
Market development in China and Germany
China and Germany represent different stages of market development for battery-electric heavy-duty trucks, yet the exchange revealed that both countries face similar challenges. In China, battery-electric heavy-duty trucks weighing more than 12 tons already account for around 24% of new registrations, reflecting the combined effects of industrial capacity, pilot programmes, and targeted policy instruments. In Germany, uptake remains more limited, with new registrations amounting to 3%. Despite these differences, participants consistently pointed to high purchase costs, increased vehicle weight, insufficient standardisation, and gaps in charging infrastructure—particularly for long-haul operations—as common barriers, reinforcing the relevance of bilateral dialogue and mutual learning.
Technology pathways and pilot applications
Discussions reflected China’s technology-open approach, which has allowed different technological pathways to be tested in parallel across regions and applications. At the same time, participants noted that such diversity of pilots increases the importance of coordination and standardisation as deployment scales up. Short- and medium-haul operations were broadly identified as the most feasible entry point for near-term emission reductions. Pilot projects already cover a range of use cases, including concrete mixers, gravel transport, and sanitation services. In Shenzhen, more than 494 battery-electric heavy-duty trucks operate in port hinterland transport, cross-border fresh-goods logistics to Hong Kong, and zero-emission freight corridors, typically covering daily distances of 150–300 km. Targeted policy instruments, such as fleet renewal subsidies of up to 95,000 yuan per vehicle, were widely cited as an important factor in reducing investment barriers and supporting early market uptake.
While hydrogen and other alternative technologies continue to be explored, discussions repeatedly pointed to battery-electric trucks as the main pathway for fleet renewal in the near to medium term. Experience from Tianjin was frequently referenced in this context: Of the 5,252 new energy heavy-duty trucks currently in operation, more than 4,300 are battery-electric, supported by a growing network of charging and battery-swapping stations. Participants noted that the parallel development of vehicles and infrastructure provides valuable insights for scaling up deployment.
System-level integration and the way forward
Beyond vehicles and infrastructure, participants stressed that decarbonising heavy-duty freight transport requires a system-level perspective. An ecosystem linking vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy systems, and digital solutions is gradually emerging. The exchange pointed to standardisation and data sharing as critical enablers for interoperability, cost efficiency, and effective system integration. In addition, closer coordination between transport and energy planning, including the use of renewable energy along major freight corridors, was identified as an important element of a long-term transition.
Despite encouraging progress, participants shared a cautious assessment of remaining challenges. High costs, infrastructure gaps, and unresolved issues related to standards, safety regulations, and insurance continue to constrain broader deployment, particularly in long-haul operations.
Looking ahead, discussions converged on the need for sustained policy support, more integrated infrastructure planning, and continued multi-stakeholder engagement. Strengthening standardisation efforts and deepening China–Germany cooperation was commonly identified as key factors for advancing the transition toward carbon-neutral heavy-duty freight transport.
