93% of electric truck operators in Germany are highly satisfied

The Berlin-based Öko-Institut conducted a survey of 57 German freight transport companies that have been operating heavy-duty electric trucks — typically in the 40-tonne class — in daily service for at least 12 months. The findings are striking: 93% of respondents said they were highly satisfied with their electric vehicles' performance and reliability.

Several factors explain this high satisfaction rate. Operators cited significantly lower energy costs compared to diesel, a quieter and smoother driving experience for their drivers, and a meaningfully reduced carbon footprint — an increasingly important metric as corporate sustainability targets and customer ESG requirements tighten across the EU.

The study is particularly relevant as the European Commission pushes forward with strict CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles under its updated HDV regulation. Truck manufacturers and logistics companies across the EU are under growing pressure to electrify their fleets, and real-world evidence of operator satisfaction strengthens the business case considerably.

For the broader EV ecosystem, this research is a meaningful data point: heavy electric transport is no longer a pilot-phase experiment but a proven operational solution. Scaling up charging infrastructure for trucks remains a key challenge, but user confidence at this level suggests the technology is ready for wider deployment.