Charging toward 2035: Policies to accelerate zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in China’s regional and long-haul freight

The study analyzes the adoption potential of zero-emission heavy-duty trucks (HDTs) in China, finding that while regional delivery trucks may become cost-competitive by 2030–34 without policy, long-haul trucking will remain nascent through 2035. It recommends segment-specific targets, such as a 33–57 percent adoption target for regional delivery tractor trailers by 2030, and identifies a 50 percent reduction in road charges as the most effective policy for acceleration.

• In the absence of policy interventions, zero-emission heavy-duty trucks are projected to reach cost-competitiveness in regional delivery between model years 2030 and 2034, whereas adoption in long-haul trucking is expected to remain at a nascent stage through 2035. Battery electric trucks are predicted to dominate the regional delivery sector, while the optimal technology for long-haul transport remains uncertain. In both sectors, zero-emission tractor trailers are more likely to see wide adoption than straight trucks.
• A 50 percent reduction in road charges between 2024 and 2035 is identified as the most effective policy to accelerate zero-emission truck (ZET) adoption, though the study suggests mitigating revenue losses by increasing rates for diesel trucks, similar to European Union carbon-indexed policies. The second most influential policies are the accelerated expansion of public fast-charging stations and the reduction of overnight charging costs.
• The study suggests that China could implement application- and segment-specific targets, specifically proposing a ZET adoption target of 33–57 percent for the regional delivery tractor trailer segment by 2030, supported by a robust charging network.
• Fuel cell electric trucks (FCET) require purchase and hydrogen subsidies before 2030 due to high costs, with subsidy needs evolving as the total cost of ownership declines. Additionally, zero-emission straight trucks require more policy support than tractor trailers, specifically ZET weight allowances to address payload losses associated with battery electric versions.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Charging toward 2035: Policies to accelerate zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in China’s regional and long-haul freight. https://www.wri.org/research/charging-toward-2035-policies-accelerate-zero-emission-heavy-duty-trucks-chinas-regional-long-haul-freight

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Charging toward 2035: Policies to accelerate zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in China’s regional and long-haul freight. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/charging-toward-2035-policies-accelerate-zero-emission-heavy-duty-trucks-chinas-regional-long-haul-freight.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Charging toward 2035: Policies to accelerate zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in China’s regional and long-haul freight |url=https://www.wri.org/research/charging-toward-2035-policies-accelerate-zero-emission-heavy-duty-trucks-chinas-regional-long-haul-freight |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendcharging, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Charging toward 2035: Policies to accelerate zero-emission heavy-duty trucks in China’s regional and long-haul freight}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/charging-toward-2035-policies-accelerate-zero-emission-heavy-duty-trucks-chinas-regional-long-haul-freight}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }