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BloombergNEF says worldwide sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks reached nearly 160,000 in the first half of 2026, about 75% above the same period in 2025. China accounted for more than nine in 10 sales; rising diesel prices linked to the Iran war may strengthen the operating-cost case for electric trucks, while adoption in the United States remains constrained.
Worldwide sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks reached a record nearly 160,000 in the first half of 2026, up about 75% from the first half of 2025, according to BloombergNEF. The growth comes as diesel prices rise amid the Iran war, improving the fuel-cost case for electric trucks even as their purchase prices remain higher than those of conventional models.
China accounted for more than nine out of every 10 electric trucks sold worldwide during the six-month period, BloombergNEF said. The research firm points to China’s policies supporting electrification and its extensive battery supply chain as factors behind its lead. About one in five trucks sold in China is electric, while the share is higher in Norway and Switzerland, according to the source report.
The economic trade-off remains central for fleet operators. Electric trucks generally cost more upfront but are cheaper to operate and maintain, the report says. When diesel costs rise, fuel savings can shorten the time it takes for those lower running costs to offset the initial price difference. The size of that benefit will vary with vehicle use, local electricity and fuel prices, and purchase costs.
Outside China, export growth is also drawing attention. Bloomberg News reported that Chinese exports of electric tractor trucks in the first half of 2026 were more than double their total for all of 2025. In the United States, BloombergNEF described the battery-electric truck market as being at a “near standstill,” citing policy and cost barriers. The report also noted California incentives and Tesla’s announcement that it had begun mass production of its electric semitruck at a Nevada factory.
Fuel Costs Strengthen the Fleet Case
For companies that operate trucks, fuel is a recurring expense, so higher diesel prices can change the calculation behind a vehicle purchase. Electric trucks’ lower operating and maintenance costs may become more attractive when diesel is expensive, though the higher upfront price can still deter buyers and the payback period depends on how a truck is used.
The figures also show that the shift is not evenly distributed. China’s dominance gives its manufacturers and supply chain a large role in the global market, while exports could widen the range of electric trucks available elsewhere. In the U.S., the contrast between global sales growth and BNEF’s assessment of a near standstill highlights how policy support, vehicle costs and charging infrastructure can shape adoption.
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China Leads a Uneven Market
Electric truck sales had been building momentum before the current diesel-price increase, according to the source report. The first-half record therefore reflects a longer-running expansion as well as a market in which fuel costs have recently become more salient. The provided figures do not quantify how much of the sales growth is attributable specifically to higher diesel prices.
BloombergNEF says China’s supportive policies and battery supply chain help explain its share of sales. The U.S. picture differs: the report says the second Trump administration ended tax credits for zero-emissions vehicles, froze grants for electric trucks and chargers, and worked with Congress to nullify California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards. California has separately committed billions of dollars in incentives and has more zero-emissions heavy-duty trucks on the road than any other U.S. state, according to the report.
Tesla’s Nevada semitruck production is one U.S. industry development cited in the report. BloombergNEF interviews indicated a price range of $250,000 to $300,000 was competitive; the report also said the truck charges faster and has a longer range than electric trucks from traditional manufacturers. These points reflect the cited reporting and interviews, not a market-wide comparison of every available model.
““near standstill””
— BloombergNEF
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How Durable Is the Sales Surge?
The available figures do not separate the effect of rising diesel prices from other factors behind the sales increase, such as government policies, battery availability or prior market growth. Nor do they show whether the first-half pace will continue through the rest of 2026.
It is also unclear how quickly electric trucks can gain share outside China. Costs, charging access, vehicle range and local incentives vary by country and fleet. The source report does not provide a full breakdown of sales by model, total market share across all regions, or comparable operating-cost calculations for different routes and electricity prices.
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Watch for Second-Half Sales
The next key measure will be whether electric truck sales remain near the first-half pace through the second half of 2026, and whether growth spreads beyond China. Updated BloombergNEF figures could show whether the record reflects a sustained expansion or a strong first six months.
Fleet buyers will also be watching diesel and electricity prices, vehicle prices, charging availability and government support. In the United States, the effects of California’s incentives and Tesla’s production ramp may offer signs of how much adoption can advance despite the policy and cost headwinds cited by BloombergNEF. The source material does not give a date for the next sales update.
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Key Questions
How many electric trucks were sold worldwide in the first half of 2026?
Nearly 160,000 medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks were sold, according to BloombergNEF. That was about 75% more than in the first half of 2025.
Which country accounted for the most electric truck sales?
China accounted for more than nine out of every 10 electric trucks sold worldwide in the first six months of 2026, BloombergNEF said.
Are higher diesel prices the reason electric truck sales rose?
Higher diesel prices linked to the Iran war may make electric trucks more attractive to operate, but the figures provided do not establish how much they contributed to the sales increase. BloombergNEF describes a longer-running growth trend as well.
Why are electric trucks not an easy switch for every fleet?
Electric trucks generally have higher purchase prices, even though they can cost less to operate and maintain. Charging access, vehicle range, electricity prices and incentives also affect whether a switch makes financial sense for a particular fleet.
What is the situation in the United States?
BloombergNEF described the U.S. battery-electric truck market as at a “near standstill,” citing policy and cost barriers. California incentives and Tesla’s start of semitruck mass production in Nevada are among the developments the report identified as potential bright spots.
Source: rss
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