Briefing

Middle East energy crisis: comparing operating costs for diesel vs electric trucks.

April 1, 2026

As energy prices keep rising, new analysis highlights the benefits of truck electrification

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Only weeks after the EU Parliament approved a weakening of the HDV CO2 standards, this emerging energy crisis should serve as a stark reminder that Europe’s only path to true strategic sovereignty lies in accelerating electrification of road freight transport. This short briefing highlights the benefits of accelerating heavy duty vehicle (HDV) electrification in the context of the war in the Middle East.

Key findings

  • Trucks have a substantial share in Europe’s oil consumption: Representing only 2% of vehicles on EU roads, trucks consume 19% of road transport’s oil demand.

  • Facing higher diesel and electricity prices, e-trucks in Germany are expected to be more than one third cheaper to operate than diesel trucks: On EU average, diesel hauliers face an energy cost increase that is 1.5 times higher than those driving electric, in Germany this goes up to more than 2.5 times.

  • Current EU heavy duty vehicle CO2 standards could save one-fifth of oil imports by 2035: Over the next decade, the EU could save €28 billion worth of oil imports. The recent decision to weaken the CO2 targets will bring this amount down.