Chinese manufacturers are becoming the first leaders in the European electric cargo market, which may be the next important stage in the region's transition to eco-friendly transport, Nikkei reports.
Windrose Technology has received permission to build an electric loader assembly plant in the port of Antwerp— Bruges in Belgium, SuperPanther plans to stack up to 200 electric loaders in Austria together with Steyr Automotive, and BYD has expanded its plant in Komarom, Hungary, to produce more than 1,000 electric loaders and electric loaders per year. Sany entered the European market even earlier, acquiring the German company Putzmeister in 2012, and is now targeting the construction and logistics sectors with electric tractors, using its extensive manufacturing base in China and aiming to set prices for its vehicles about 20% lower than those of European competitors.
Although EU rules on decarbonization of heavy vehicles are being dramatically tightened by 2040, electric trucks still accounted for only 4.2% of the European market in 2025, with the Netherlands, Germany and France accounting for two thirds of demand, compared with a share of 20% to 25% in China's domestic heavy vehicle segment Europe's progress is being held back by weak battery production, limited charging infrastructure, lack of power grid capacity, and the need to create special charging fleets. The high cost of batteries, range and charging limitations, consumer loyalty to local brands, concerns about resale value, and the need for powerful service networks are also slowing the expansion of Chinese manufacturers, although exemption from road tolls and expanded after-sales service may improve their prospects.
