Germany’s climate policy may be stifling battery-electric truck adoption
A recent study by the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) and research institutes, including the Fraunhofer Society, has highlighted significant issues with Germany's greenhouse gas quota (THG-Quote) system. The system currently favors hydrogen fuel cell trucks over battery-electric trucks, potentially hindering the growth of the latter in the commercial vehicle industry.
The road freight sector contributes a substantial one-third of Germany's transport emissions. To tackle this, zero-emission vehicles, especially battery-electric trucks, are vital for achieving climate neutrality in heavy-duty transport. However, the current THG-Quote system creates incentive distortions that put battery-electric trucks at a disadvantage.
The study recommends immediate adjustments to estimated annual energy consumption of vehicles and emissions factors for electricity. This is because the THG-Quote underestimates the real-world performance of heavy battery-electric trucks and overestimates their electricity supply emissions. Long-term, the study advocates for a broader overhaul of the THG-Quote's calculation methodology to account for energy efficiency benefits of battery-electric trucks. Without these changes, the growth of battery-electric trucks could slow down, despite their recent significant growth.
The study's findings underscore the need for urgent adjustments to the THG-Quote system. By rectifying these distortions, Germany can foster a fairer playing field for battery-electric trucks, supporting their growth and contributing to the country's climate goals.
