Why the humble milk float is the ancestor of today's electric freight revolution
In short: Electric trucks are not just a modern response to climate change. They have quietly served niche roles like milk delivery for over a century. Now, plummeting battery costs and improved energy density are finally allowing electric propulsion to move from urban delivery vans to heavy-duty long-haul freight across the globe.
The transition to electric trucking is driven by a dramatic shift in battery economics. According to data from the United States Department of Energy, the average cost for a kilowatt-hour of battery capacity plummeted from $500 in 2013 to $137 by 2020. This efficiency gain makes electric powertrains increasingly competitive against diesel, particularly because they eliminate fuel waste during idling and require fewer moving parts. While long-distance hauling remains challenging due to the weight of batteries compared to liquid fuel, short-haul urban logistics have seen rapid adoption. Electric trucks are ideal for stop-and-go environments, where they reduce noise and local air pollution—a significant public health benefit, as heavy-duty diesel vehicles are major contributors to respiratory and cardiovascular risks.
Global adoption is accelerating, with electric models accounting for 9% of all truck sales worldwide in 2025. China leads this shift, representing over 90% of global sales, with electric vehicles making up 26% of its new truck market. In Europe, major manufacturers like Volvo, Scania, and Mercedes-Benz have moved beyond prototypes to series production of heavy-duty electric semi-trucks. Meanwhile, North American efforts have focused heavily on delivery vans for e-commerce giants, though heavy-duty electric freight is also gaining traction in drayage operations at major ports. Even specialized sectors like mining are exploring electric options, where regenerative braking on downhill hauls can actually recharge batteries.
Despite this progress, the industry faces hurdles regarding range and upfront costs. While some specialized vehicles, such as the Futuricum Logistics 18E, can achieve ranges of up to 760 kilometers, most long-haul operations still require significant infrastructure investment. Manufacturers are experimenting with various solutions, including solar panels on trailers to power auxiliary systems like refrigeration or cabin climate control. As mass production scales and battery technology continues to improve, the gap between electric and diesel performance is expected to narrow further, with analysts at Carbon Tracker predicting that the total cost of ownership for battery-electric trucks will reach a tipping point against diesel counterparts by the early 2030s.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Electric truck
- Also: Wikidata — electric truck · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Electric truck steering with varying pump speed · CC0
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