Despite the EU’s plans to decarbonize transport and reduce CO2 emissions, most countries are not sufficiently prepared for the mass deployment of electric heavy transport.

According to Eurowags experts, Norway (1) is best prepared. The Netherlands (2) and Switzerland (3) follow in the next places. Sweden (4), Germany (5), Denmark (6), Austria (7), Belgium (8), Italy (9) and Portugal (10)  are also in the top ten.

The index is based on an assessment of several parameters, such as: E.g.:

• the number of charging stations for vehicles, including those with more than 350 kW
• the share of electric cars in the total vehicle fleet in a given country
• the corresponding percentage of electric trucks in a given country
•  the legislation for electrification.

Unfortunately, Central and Eastern Europe is lagging far behind in preparing for the electrification of road transport. Poland ranked 22nd. 

Infrastructure problems

One of the main obstacles to the electrification of heavy transport in the EU is the lack of a sufficient number of charging points for electric vehicles.

Heavy vehicles need an output of more than 350kW which is necessary to quickly and effectively charge truck batteries.

Such charging points are very unevenly distributed across the continent – most are in the Scandinavian and Benelux countries. Central and Eastern Europe is a blank spot. 

The lag in electrification in the eastern part of the continent is a major problem for EU transport. This problem is all the more urgent given that Polish freight forwarders are leaders in road transport in Europe.

Carriers will not risk investing in a vehicle if they cannot be sure that they will be able to refuel or recharge it.

It seems that in the decarbonization process, a priority role will have investments in appropriate infrastructure, so that companies are not afraid to invest in the renewal of their fleets.