EU heavy-duty vehicle market expands in early 2024, zero-emission sales on the rise

Market expansion and leading countries

The European HDV market saw nearly 98.000 registrations across the EU-27 in the second quarter of 2024. Germany, France, and Italy were the biggest players, with Germany leading the pack at 28,4% of the market share. Sales in these three countries rose steadily between the first and second quarters—Germany’s share increased by 2,3%, France by 1,2%, and Italy by 1,5%.

The top seven HDV brands were responsible for a substantial 84% of all sales during Q2. Mercedes-Benz was the market leader with a 21% share, followed by MAN, IVECO, Scania, Volvo, DAF, and Renault. These brands had varying focuses, with Scania, DAF, Volvo, and Renault concentrating largely on heavy trucks, while IVECO also found success in selling light and medium commercial vehicles.

Steady rise in zero-emission vehicle sales

Zero-emission vehicles are slowly but surely carving out a larger space in the HDV market. In the second quarter of 2024, ZEVs made up 4,1% of all HDV sales, which is an improvement over the 3,2% share they held in the first quarter. Importantly, this growth spanned across all key segments—heavy trucks, light and medium commercial vehicles, and buses and coaches.

Germany continued to lead the way in zero-emission adoption, contributing 32,2% of ZEV sales across the EU, which translates to 1.282 units sold. Comparing the first half of 2024 to the same period in 2023, sales of ZEVs across the European HDV market increased by a remarkable 54%.

Heavy trucks: Increasing adoption of zero-emission models

Heavy trucks—those weighing more than 12 tonnes—saw an encouraging rise in the adoption of zero-emission models. Out of the 74.000 heavy trucks sold in Q2, 916 were zero-emission, accounting for 1,2% of total sales. This is a notable jump from Q1, where 755 units were registered, or 1,1% of sales.

Volvo Trucks maintained a strong lead in the zero-emission heavy truck market, capturing a 43,5% market share, helped largely by the success of its 4×2 FM and FH models. Renault followed with a 17,3% share, while Mercedes-Benz held 14,8%. Geographically, Germany once again led the charge with 37% of all zero-emission heavy trucks sold in Q2.

Light and medium commercial vehicles: Zero-emission sales on the rise

The market for light and medium commercial vehicles, defined by those with a gross vehicle weight between 3,5 and 12 tonnes, also made strides in electrification. In Q2, out of the 14.292 vehicles sold in this segment, 1.447 were zero-emission—making up 10% of sales. This was a clear improvement from the 8,4% share in Q1, with the number of zero-emission models sold growing by over 50% in that period.

When looking at year-over-year growth, the sales of zero-emission vehicles in this category rose by about 86%, jumping from 1.270 units in the first half of 2023 to nearly 2.400 in 2024. Ford emerged as a leader in this segment, with 41,5% of the zero-emission market share, followed by IVECO. These numbers highlight a clear demand for cleaner vehicles in the light and medium category.

Buses and coaches: Mixed performance for zero-emission models

The bus and coach sector, which accounted for 10,2% of all HDV sales in Q2, showed mixed results for zero-emission adoption. Out of the 9.976 buses sold, 1.722 were zero-emission, which equated to 17,2% of total sales—a noticeable jump from 12,4% in the previous quarter. Battery electric city buses, in particular, had a strong showing, making up 40% of all city bus sales in Q2, up from 32% in Q1.

However, despite a 35% increase in the total number of zero-emission buses sold in the first half of 2024 compared to the first half of 2023, their overall share of the bus market slightly dipped, from 16,5% to 15%. Among manufacturers, Yutong and Mercedes-Benz led in zero-emission bus sales, with Yutong holding a 20,8% market share and Mercedes-Benz at 14,8%.

A positive outlook for the heavy-duty vehicle market

Overall, the first half of 2024 has been a promising period for the European heavy-duty vehicle market, especially in the context of the shift towards zero-emission models. The growth in zero-emission vehicle sales, particularly in Germany, and the successes of brands like Volvo and Ford, suggest a significant trend towards electrification.

The steady gains in zero-emission adoption are aligned with the European Union’s broader climate goals, aiming for reduced emissions and a more sustainable future for transportation. The rise in zero-emission vehicle sales across all HDV segments is an encouraging sign, setting the stage for more significant developments as we move through the rest of the year. Policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers alike are playing crucial roles in driving this transformation, positioning Europe as a global leader in sustainable heavy-duty transportation.

Source: The ICCT