Decarbonisation of the heavy-duty vehicle segment in Europe is crucial to curb greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions from the transport sector. Last-mile delivery trucks for city logistics are a promising application for electrification given their low daily mileages and the opportunity to recharge at depots when not in use. However, it is still unclear how these electric delivery trucks compare to their diesel counterparts from an economic perspective, considering overall cost of usage. Moreover, the large-scale deployment of electric delivery vehicles raises questions about how this additional charging demand can be integrated into local power grids and what it will cost. 

A joint study from the International Council on Clean Transportation and RAP quantifies the total cost of ownership of battery-electric last-mile delivery trucks in six European cities and compares it to existing diesel truck fleets. The analysis considers the cost of the trucks, purchase premiums, and a detailed breakdown of charging expenses, including power and network tariffs. The study also provides policy recommendations to overcome the cost difference between these two vehicle types and to foster the use of electric delivery fleets. This fact sheet offers a brief overview of the report’s results.