Despite the push by governments towards electric mobility, diesel continues to gain ground in the industrial vehicle sector. Registration data from January to September 2024 in the European Union show a panorama in which electrification is still not having the expected impact, especially in the van and truck segments. Only the urban bus seems to be making headway in this shift towards sustainable mobility, driven by public investments in European cities.
Vans continue to bet on Diesel
In the first three quarters of 2024, diesel remained the preferred choice in the EU for vans, with a 10,6% increase in sales and a market share of 84,6%. Petrol vans have also grown by 7,5%, although they maintain a much smaller share of 6,1%. In contrast, sales of electric vans fell by 12,8%, dropping their share to 5,7%, while hybrid-electric vans have decreased by 4,3% and represent only 2% of the market. In Spain, the difference is even more marked: electric vans have reached only 4,2% of the market.
The Preference for Diesel in Trucks
In the case of trucks, diesel dominance is even greater, accounting for 95,3% of new heavy vehicle registrations in the EU. Although Germany and Denmark have seen growth in sales of electric trucks (+56,8% and +22,3%, respectively), these increases have not been enough to offset the declines in other countries, such as France (-58,4%) and the Netherlands (-52,7%). In Spain, electric trucks barely represent 1,3% of registrations, confirming the trend towards a “dieselisation” of this segment.
Urban buses aim for electrification
Unlike vans and trucks, electric buses have found greater support, especially in urban environments. In the first nine months of 2024, electric bus registrations in the EU increased by 28,7%, raising their market share to 15,9%. Germany leads in terms of volume, while Italy stands out for its growth of 72,9%. However, Spain is still below the European average for electric buses, with a share of 13%, although it tops the list of countries with the highest share of hybrid buses (20,6%).
Future of Diesel and Electrification in Industrial Vehicles
These figures reflect a scenario in which diesel remains the key player in the European commercial vehicle market, particularly in the van and truck sectors. Despite efforts towards electrification, diesel remains the preferred choice, thus ensuring continuity in the traditional aftermarket and in activities related to the maintenance of these vehicles.
