Key facts
- Europe can learn from China's electric truck electrification strategy, according to Volvo Group CTO Jens Holtinger.
- Holtinger stated that Europe's biggest obstacle to widespread electric truck adoption is energy infrastructure, not vehicle technology.
- Battery-electric trucks are approaching cost parity with diesel models.
- Adoption hinges on governments expanding electricity grids, charging networks, and renewable energy generation.
Europe can learn from China's approach to electrifying heavy trucks, according to Volvo Group Chief Technology Officer Jens Holtinger. He stated that Europe's biggest obstacle is no longer vehicle technology but the supporting energy infrastructure.
Holtinger told Caixin on the sidelines of the VivaTech conference in Paris that the Swedish maker of trucks, buses, and construction equipment sees battery-electric trucks approaching cost parity with diesel models. However, widespread adoption will depend on whether governments can expand electricity grids, charging networks, and renewable energy generation fast enough.