EU Must Strengthen Power Grids to Electrify Heavy-Duty Transport, Say ACEA and Eurelectric

EU Must Strengthen Power Grids to Electrify Heavy-Duty Transport, Say ACEA and Eurelectric

(IN BRIEF) As Europe pushes to electrify heavy-duty road transport, ACEA and Eurelectric warn that grid limitations, permitting delays, and regulatory hurdles are slowing the deployment of charging infrastructure for zero-emission trucks and buses. In a new joint paper, the organizations call for proactive investments in grid capacity, harmonised planning tools, and regulatory reforms to support the EU’s climate goals. With zero-emission vehicles expected to make up one-third of HDV registrations by 2030, the paper urges enabling megawatt charging and ensuring electricity pricing keeps zero-emission commercial vehicles competitive.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRUSSELS, 15-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — As Europe races toward climate-neutral road transport, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) and Eurelectric are calling on policymakers to act swiftly in overcoming one of the biggest roadblocks to progress: the readiness of Europe’s power grids to support heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) charging.

Meeting the EU’s CO2 reduction targets for trucks and buses means scaling up zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) fast—potentially reaching one-third of all new HDV registrations by 2030. However, while vehicle technology is advancing rapidly, the rollout of charging infrastructure is faltering. Deployment along Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) corridors and in essential urban or depot sites is often delayed by grid capacity issues, slow permitting, and regulatory red tape.

In a new joint position paper, ACEA and Eurelectric stress the importance of proactive planning by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to ensure Europe’s electricity grids can meet the rising energy demands of commercial transport electrification.

“A robust and scalable charging network for heavy-duty vehicles is absolutely vital if we’re serious about decarbonising transport,” said Thomas Fabian, ACEA’s Chief Commercial Vehicles Officer. “Without a grid that’s built for the future, we risk stalling the entire transition.”

The paper includes a set of focused recommendations: the introduction of harmonised and transparent grid capacity maps, fast-tracked permitting, forward-looking investments, and adaptable connection models tailored for HDVs. It also underscores the urgent need to support megawatt charging systems (MCS) and ensure fair electricity pricing to maintain the competitiveness of zero-emission vehicles.

Together, ACEA and Eurelectric are urging EU institutions and national governments to lay the foundations for a green logistics network—one that doesn’t just electrify vehicles, but also empowers the infrastructure behind them.

About ACEA

• The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
• Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on https://www.x.com/ACEA_auto or http://www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/

About the EU automobile industry

• 13.2 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 10.3% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €383.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €106.7 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Over 7.5% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €72.8 billion in R&D spending annually, 33% of EU total

Media Contacts:

Ben Kennard
Head of Communications
bk@acea.auto
+32 (0) 2 738 73 17

Julien Hoez
Media Relations Manager
 jh@acea.auto
+32 (0) 2 738 73 45

SOURCE: ACEA