Report ties Iran oil spike to electric trucks undercutting diesel in six EU markets

Transport & Environment says electric trucks are already cheaper to own and operate than diesel models in six EU markets—the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, France and Belgium—which account for 46% of new heavy-truck registrations. With diesel prices elevated after an Iran-related oil-price spike, trucks bought in 2026 could save operators up to €100,000 over five years in the Netherlands, €85,000 in Germany and €69,000 in Denmark, with the higher upfront cost recovered in about two years. T&E estimates Chinese-built electric trucks cost about €210,000, compared with €265,000 for European equivalents, potentially adding €34,000 in five-year savings for German operators. The group says electric trucks could have lower operating costs in all nine countries it studied by 2030, even as purchase subsidies are reduced, and urges European manufacturers to scale production rather than seek delays to emissions targets. It also calls on governments to exempt electric trucks from road tolls and speed up charging infrastructure and grid connections.