Futuristic electric truck sharing energy with a smart power grid, representing sustainable transport.

Charging Ahead: How Electric Trucks Can Power a Greener Future (and Save You Money!)

Samir D’Costa in Climate & Environment July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the surprising impact of battery-electric vehicles on Germany's power grid and how smart charging can lead to significant cost savings and a more sustainable energy future."

The future of transportation is electric, and that includes the big rigs. As the world races towards climate neutrality, transitioning heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources is crucial. While battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have emerged as a frontrunner in the passenger car sector, the path for HDVs is still being paved. Options like electric road systems (ERS), hydrogen fuel cells, and e-fuels are all vying for a place in the future of trucking.

But which of these technologies offers the most sustainable and cost-effective solution? A new study dives deep into the power sector implications of different HDV electrification strategies in Germany, a country known for its ambitious renewable energy goals. By using an open-source capacity expansion model and detailed truck traffic data, researchers have uncovered some surprising insights into the costs, benefits, and potential challenges of electrifying heavy-duty transport.

The results offer a roadmap for policymakers, businesses, and everyday consumers interested in the future of sustainable transportation. From smart charging strategies to the impact on renewable energy sources, this research sheds light on how we can electrify our trucks and create a cleaner, more efficient energy future for everyone.

Electric Trucks: The Key to Reducing Power Sector Costs

Futuristic electric truck sharing energy with a smart power grid, representing sustainable transport.

The study compared several HDV electrification scenarios, including battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), electric road systems (ERS), fuel-cell hydrogen electric trucks (FCEV), and internal combustion engines powered by e-fuels (ICEV PtL). The findings revealed a clear winner in terms of power sector costs: flexibly charged BEVs, especially those with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities. These smart trucks, which can both draw power from and supply power back to the grid, incurred the lowest additional power sector costs.

In contrast, scenarios relying on hydrogen or e-fuels proved to be significantly more expensive. This is primarily due to the energy-intensive processes required to produce these alternative fuels. According to the research, hydrogen supply chains increase electricity demand more than twice as much as battery-electric options, while e-fuel demand is nearly four times higher than BEVs.

Here's a quick breakdown of the key findings:

BEVs with V2G: Lowest additional power sector costs (around €5,600 per vehicle per year).
Optimally Charged BEVs (without V2G): Slightly higher costs (around €7,200 per vehicle per year).
Non-Optimally Charged BEVs: Markedly higher costs (around €11,900 per vehicle per year).
Hydrogen and E-fuels: Significantly higher costs (around €39,700 and €52,700 per vehicle per year, respectively).

These figures highlight the significant economic advantages of prioritizing direct electrification via BEVs and ERS-BEVs over indirect electrification methods like hydrogen and e-fuels. By strategically charging electric trucks, we can minimize the strain on the power grid and unlock substantial cost savings.

The Road Ahead: Smart Investments for a Sustainable Future

The study’s findings send a clear message: direct electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly with smart charging and V2G capabilities, offers the most promising path towards a cost-effective and sustainable transportation future. By prioritizing BEVs and ERS-BEVs, and by implementing policies that encourage flexible charging practices, we can pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.crsus.2024.100123,

Title: Power Sector Effects Of Alternative Options For De-Fossilizing Heavy-Duty Vehicles -- Go Electric, And Charge Smartly

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Carlos Gaete-Morales, Julius Jöhrens, Florian Heining, Wolf-Peter Schill

Published: 29-03-2023

Everything You Need To Know

What are the key differences between BEVs, ERS, FCEV, and ICEV PtL in terms of power sector costs?

The study compared several HDV electrification scenarios, including battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), electric road systems (ERS), fuel-cell hydrogen electric trucks (FCEV), and internal combustion engines powered by e-fuels (ICEV PtL). The findings show that BEVs, especially those with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capabilities, had the lowest additional power sector costs. In contrast, scenarios relying on hydrogen or e-fuels proved to be significantly more expensive. The use of hydrogen supply chains increase electricity demand more than twice as much as BEVs, while e-fuel demand is nearly four times higher than BEVs.

How does vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology impact the cost-effectiveness of electric trucks?

BEVs with V2G capabilities are the most cost-effective option, incurring the lowest additional power sector costs. V2G allows smart trucks to both draw power from and supply power back to the grid, optimizing energy use and reducing strain on the power infrastructure. This flexible interaction with the grid is a key factor in the lower costs associated with BEVs with V2G compared to other alternatives such as non-optimally charged BEVs, hydrogen, and e-fuels.

Why are hydrogen and e-fuels more expensive options for electrifying heavy-duty vehicles than BEVs?

Hydrogen and e-fuels are more expensive due to the energy-intensive processes required to produce these alternative fuels. The research indicates that hydrogen supply chains significantly increase electricity demand, more than double that of battery-electric options. E-fuel demand is even higher, nearly four times that of BEVs. These energy-intensive processes contribute to higher overall costs compared to the direct electrification offered by BEVs.

What are the specific cost differences between different charging strategies for BEVs?

The study detailed the following cost differences: BEVs with V2G had the lowest additional power sector costs (around €5,600 per vehicle per year). Optimally Charged BEVs (without V2G) had slightly higher costs (around €7,200 per vehicle per year). Non-Optimally Charged BEVs showed markedly higher costs (around €11,900 per vehicle per year). These figures highlight the economic advantages of prioritizing direct electrification via BEVs and ERS-BEVs and implementing flexible charging practices.

What are the key takeaways for policymakers, businesses, and consumers from the research on electric trucks?

The research emphasizes that direct electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, particularly with smart charging and V2G capabilities, offers the most promising path toward a cost-effective and sustainable transportation future. Policymakers should prioritize BEVs and ERS-BEVs and encourage flexible charging practices. Businesses can benefit from the cost savings associated with BEVs. Consumers indirectly gain from a cleaner, more efficient energy system. Ultimately, the study supports smart investments in infrastructure and policies that support the adoption of electric trucks to benefit both the environment and the economy.