The roar of diesel engines that has dominated Europe's motorways for decades is about to be replaced by an electric hum. A groundbreaking study by RISE -Research Institutes of Sweden just dropped a bombshell into the debate over the future of freight transportation. Contrary to what many experts predicted, electric trucks are not only the greenest choice, but also the cheapest. Hydrogen, much-lauded as the savior of heavy transport, has revealed itself to be a giant with feet of clay. Beware: this is not just an academic report, but a wake-up call for the entire transport industry. Think of the consequences: entire corporate strategies to be rethought, billions in investments to be redirected, energy policies to be rewritten. The silent giant that moves the European economy is about to undergo a metamorphosis. Do you want to know how and why?
An unexpected turning point in freight transport
Il freight transport is experiencing a turning point. This is why the study conducted by RISE, shedding new light on a sector that seemed destined for a revolution driven by hydrogen, leaves us speechless. The results have revealed a very different and, in some ways, surprising reality. electric trucks, often considered unsuitable for long-distance heavy transport, are emerging as the real protagonists of this green revolution. Not only are they more efficient in terms of emissions, but they are also significantly cheaper in the long term. This completely overturns the expectations and strategies of many companies in the sector.
Hydrogen, on the other hand, seems to have lost its luster. Despite promises of being the fuel of the future, the numbers clearly show that the costs and efficiency of hydrogen vehicles are not competitive with electric alternatives. It is a hard blow for those who had bet on this technology.
The Numbers That Change the Game
The RISE study (I link it here (so in case you can read it before commenting on the news on social media) does not limit itself to making generic statements. It presents concrete data that highlights the economic and environmental superiority of electric trucks. According to the report, as mentioned, the operating costs of electric vehicles are significantly lower than those powered by hydrogen or biofuels. But it's not just a question of costs. Greenhouse gas emissions from electric trucks are significantly lower, especially considering the progressive decarbonisation of the European electricity grid. The study predicts that by 2035, The CO2 intensity of the European electricity grid will be between 50 and 70 g/kWh, a value that makes electric vehicles unbeatable in terms of sustainability.
These numbers are not just abstract statistics. They represent a radical shift in the way we need to think about the future of freight transportation.
Not all that glitters is gold
Despite the obvious advantages, the massive adoption of electric trucks presents some not insignificant challenges. The prediction is fine, if we stick to the costs: but on the organizational level there will be no “revolution” until an adequate charging infrastructure is created, capable of supporting heavy traffic over long distances. The RISE study, on this point, explores several solutions. One of these is the electrification of main roads. This option at the moment tested in very few sections, although expensive initially, could prove to be the most efficient in the long run. It would allow the size of vehicle batteries to be reduced, further reducing costs and increasing autonomy.
However, the implementation of an electrified road system requires a mammoth political and financial commitment at the European level. The question is: will European governments and institutions be ready to make this leap? The (temporary) answer is “no”, judging by the choices that seem to favor the military sector and the lack of forward-looking vision. It will take longer than expected, therefore: but then?
An electrifying future for freight transport
I like to think that we are at the dawn of a new era for freight transport. Perhaps in one of those periods that only a century later will be described as “the beginning of everything”. The RISE study is not just an academic report, but a roadmap for the future of the sector. The implications go far beyond the simple choice of which technology to adopt. We are talking about a change that will reshape supply chains, influence energy policies and have a significant impact on the fight against climate change. Companies that anticipate this transition will have a huge competitive advantage.
