Daimler Truck outlines Europe’s need for 35,000 megawatt chargers by 2030
Daimler Truck said Europe needs 35,000 megawatt charging points by 2030 to shift battery‑electric and hydrogen trucks from early adopters to mainstream fleets, speaking at its Media Night in Hanover ahead of IAA Transportation 2026. Mercedes‑Benz Trucks held about 38% of Europe’s market for locally CO₂‑free medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks in the first half of 2026, and its eActros 600 models have logged over 160 million kilometres since series production began at the end of 2024.
Europe currently has fewer than 2,000 public truck charge points, most of them standard CCS units. To meet CO₂ targets, Daimler Truck says Europe will need 35,000 megawatt‑charging points and about 1,000 hydrogen stations suitable for trucks by 2030. In Germany, the CO₂‑based road toll gives electric trucks an advantage of roughly 33 to 35 cents per kilometre over diesel, while only 13 of the EU’s 27 member states have adopted such tolls.
“Today, there are over 60 electric or zero-emission trucks available in the market, and over 25 different zero-emission bus models from us and from our competitors,” Karin Rådström, CEO, Daimler Truck said.
“We are proud to have more than 200 battery-electric trucks on the road, but the truth is we run more than 15,000,” Stefan Hohm, Chief Development Officer, Dachser said.
In 2025, heavy‑duty battery‑electric trucks accounted for 2% of Europe’s market, and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association reported that electrically chargeable trucks above 3.5 tonnes reached 4.2% of the EU market, up from 2.3% the previous year. Daimler Truck estimates that about 35% of new trucks must run on batteries or hydrogen by 2030 to meet EU CO₂ targets.
What we know
Europe will need 35,000 megawatt‑charging points by 2030 to support the battery‑electric trucks required for CO₂ targets.
Europe currently has fewer than 2,000 public truck charge points for trucks.
In Germany, the CO₂‑based toll gives electric trucks an advantage of about 33 to 35 cents per kilometre over diesel.
Mercedes‑Benz Trucks held about 38% of Europe’s market for locally CO₂‑free medium‑ and heavy‑duty trucks in the first half of 2026.
Europe will need about 1,000 hydrogen stations suitable for trucks by 2030.