Research predicts 54,000 electric semis on the road by 2025

A recent US study estimates that a large number of electric semi trucks are expected to hit the road by 2025. 

The study was conducted by US-based energy analysts Wood Mackenzie, and takes into consideration the number of electric trucks on the road today, government’s financial support of the transition, and local energy transition goals. The study concludes that the electric truck market is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years, putting more than 54,000 electric trucks to work in the next five years, despite the existence of merely 2,000 electric truck charging stations across the country. Still, the study also estimates that charging facilities could number as many as 48,000 by 2025. 

“Compared to passenger electric vehicle (EV) and electric bus penetration levels, the electric truck market is still in its infancy. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (MDV/HDV) are the second largest contributor to US transportation emissions, but much of the emissions reduction efforts thus far have centered on new diesel technologies and hybrids rather than pure electrification,” explained Kelly McCoy, Wood Mackenzie Research Analyst and author of the report. 

Despite the seemingly large number of electric trucks the study estimates will soon enter the trucking industry, experts say that 54,000 may be a low estimate considering the volume production Tesla is capable of according to an email leaked from Elon Musk, reported Teslarati.

Although Tesla has not yet confirmed whether production of their electric semi truck has started, Wood Mackenzie’s study estimates that the company will be capable of producing electric semi trucks at a far faster pace than just 54,000 in five years.