Global Fuel-Cell Truck Sales Plunge 55% as Battery-Electric Trucks Surge

BloombergNEF, in collaboration with Smart Freight Centre, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, and Traton SE, just dropped its annual Commercial ZEV Factbook, and the findings are pretty eye-opening. By tapping into national registration agencies, industry databases, and transport data sources, this report sheds light on how things are looking for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission trucks. The big news? Global sales of hydrogen fuel-cell trucks nosedived by a whopping 55% compared to last year, with only around 530 units sold in the first half of this year. China was the clear leader, accounting for about 507 of those sales, while the numbers for the United States and Europe together slimmed down to less than two dozen.

Big Gap Between Fuel-Cell and Battery-Electric Trucks

The statistics really tell the story here: while fuel-cell truck sales took a hit, battery-electric trucks surged to nearly 158,000 units globally, marking a striking 75% increase from last year. That means they now make up more than 99% of the low- and zero-emission truck market, if we exclude plug-in hybrids. In fact, in China alone, nearly 145,000 battery-electric trucks hit the roads during the same time frame, representing about 92% of global plug-in sales in this category. The trend illustrates a noticeable shift in the marketplace: battery-electric vehicles aren’t just for urban last-mile deliveries anymore; they’re now making their way into regional logistics and even select long-haul routes.

The Real Kicker: Costs and Infrastructure

So, what’s behind the slowdown in hydrogen trucks? It’s a mix of promising tech and some stubborn real-world hurdles. Hydrogen fuel-cell systems are great because they offer quick refueling and impressive energy density. However, the costs associated with hydrogen production—whether through electrolysis or reforming natural gas—are still pretty steep. Plus, building out those high-pressure refueling stations requires a serious upfront investment. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to compressing, transporting, and safely storing hydrogen. Those challenges, along with the higher price tag of fuel-cell vehicles compared to their battery counterparts, have made fleets hesitant to dive in.

Policy changes play a huge role too. According to BloombergNEF, a noticeable spike in fuel-cell truck orders in late 2025 came about as customers anticipated changes in Chinese subsidies and incentives for mileage. But once those supportive measures started to wind down, sales dropped sharply, underscoring just how sensitive the fuel-cell market is to government backing.

Battery-Electric Trucks: A Real-World Solution

On the other hand, battery-electric powertrains have tackled many of the barriers head-on. Recent improvements in battery chemistry—especially in lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells—have driven down costs while extending their lifecycle. Fleets are now benefiting from a growing ecosystem built around passenger EVs: think battery manufacturing, power electronics, and the rollout of charging stations that tap into existing infrastructure investments.

Charging solutions are varied, ranging from overnight depot charging to massive gigawatt-scale fast-charging hubs. In China, battery swapping is becoming a practical option for fixed routes, allowing high-utilization vehicles to quickly exchange a depleted battery pack for a fully charged one in mere minutes. Meanwhile, megawatt charging systems are being trialed in Europe and North America to support heavier trucks on longer journeys, reducing downtime during mandatory breaks.

Where Hydrogen Must Kick Challenges to the Curb

Despite facing some stiff competition, hydrogen fuel-cell trucks still bring some solid advantages to the table. They boast fast refueling times that come close to diesel, offer extended ranges without the massive weight that comes with batteries, and they produce zero tailpipe emissions. This makes them uniquely suited for specific scenarios like port operations, high-speed corridors, and multi-shift jobs where charging opportunities are tight.

Major players haven’t given up on hydrogen just yet. Daimler Truck is gearing up to start customer trials of its NextGenH2 fuel-cell truck later this year, showing that leading manufacturers still see hydrogen fitting into their long-term plans. The challenge ahead lies in building out a coordinated hydrogen infrastructure network to align production, delivery logistics, and station usage—key ingredients for achieving those crucial economies of scale.

Policy and Market Signals

As it stands, governments are at a critical juncture regarding their support for zero-emission freight. In China, synchronized national and local initiatives have propelled both hydrogen and battery-electric deployments, but the clear momentum is currently leaning toward batteries. Meanwhile, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation in Europe is pushing for hydrogen refueling stations along major transport corridors by 2030 and developing robust heavy-duty charging networks. This dual approach emphasizes the importance of tech neutrality, allowing the market to choose based on total cost of ownership and what each operation needs.

In the United States, things look a bit more mixed. While there are federal grants for zero-emission trucks and infrastructure, there are also state-level incentives. Unfortunately, regulatory uncertainty and limited hydrogen fueling networks have left many fleets sitting on the sidelines. Investors are keeping a close eye on routes with guaranteed usage to justify building those capital-intensive hydrogen stations.

Serious About Leading the Energy Transition

For manufacturers, investors, and fleet operators, the current sales trends are shifting investment focus toward batteries, charging infrastructure, and electric truck software platforms. On the flip side, hydrogen developers are facing a tougher uphill battle. Weaker market signals may discourage supplier investment, jeopardizing station viability and slowing down the green hydrogen production roll-out.

That said, some fleets and regions are making strategic bets on hydrogen. They recognize potential issues with grid constraints, charging delays, and critical minerals supply risks that could limit battery adoption in certain routes. A well-rounded approach—using batteries for most applications while keeping hydrogen for specific, high-utilization scenarios—might just be the key to comprehensive decarbonization.

Environmental and Supply Chain Considerations

When you stack up hydrogen fuel cell vs battery electric, looking into lifecycle emissions and resource footprints becomes crucial. The carbon footprint of hydrogen really depends on how it’s produced—grey hydrogen from natural gas can carry significant emissions, while green hydrogen from renewable sources can offer solid carbon cuts but relies on enough renewable energy generation. On the other hand, battery-electric trucks skip the hydrogen production and conversion steps, making them more efficient overall. However, they also ramp up the demand for critical minerals like lithium, nickel, and cobalt, which raises concerns about sustainable mining and recycling practices. It’s clear a balanced strategy needs to weigh these trade-offs against local efforts toward grid decarbonization and material supply chains.

Bottom Line...

The takeaway from this year’s Commercial ZEV Factbook is stark: battery-electric trucks are zooming ahead, gaining traction, investments, and policy support, while hydrogen fuel-cell trucks are still struggling to find their footing outside of China’s burst of activity. Neither tech is going away anytime soon, but strategies for decarbonization, infrastructure planning, and financing models will need to adapt to this changing landscape. Building a resilient zero-emission freight ecosystem will mean deploying the right vehicle for each route, backed by strong policy support and commercial frameworks that prioritize utilization and verified emissions reductions.

In the fast-paced evolution of the transportation sector, one thing is clear: the path to zero is getting broader and more intricate than ever, but it's paved with collaborative innovation, strategic policy backing, and an urgent desire to clean up our global transport systems.