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BloombergNEF says worldwide sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks reached nearly 160,000 in the first half of 2026, up about 75% from the same period in 2025. China accounted for more than nine out of 10 sales, while the U.S. market was described as near-stagnant; rising diesel prices add to the economic case for electric fleets, but do not resolve upfront cost and policy barriers.
Worldwide sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks reached nearly 160,000 in the first half of 2026, a record for the period and about 75% above the first half of 2025, according to BloombergNEF research cited by Canary Media. Rising diesel prices linked in the report to the Iran war are adding to the operating-cost appeal of electric trucks, though their higher purchase prices and uneven policy support remain barriers.
The sales figure covers medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks sold worldwide during the first six months of 2026. BloombergNEF’s estimate, as reported by Canary Media, indicates growth against the same six-month period a year earlier. The source does not provide a country-by-country breakdown beyond China’s share or specify the exact diesel-price changes across markets.
China accounted for more than 90% of global e-truck sales in the first half of 2026, according to BloombergNEF. The firm points to supportive policies and an extensive battery supply chain in China. The source also reports that electric trucks make up about one in five truck sales in China, while their share is higher in Norway and Switzerland.
Higher diesel prices can make the operating savings from electric vehicles more valuable to fleet owners, but the upfront purchase price remains higher than for diesel equivalents. Bloomberg News reported that China’s exports of electric tractor trucks in the first half of 2026 were already more than double the total exported during all of 2025. That export comparison reflects the periods stated in the source and does not establish how many of those vehicles are currently in service abroad.
Fuel Costs Shift Fleet Economics
For trucking companies, fuel is a recurring operating expense, so sustained increases in diesel prices can improve the relative economics of vehicles that cost less to operate and maintain. The source says the higher the fuel price, the faster an electric truck can pay back its higher initial cost. That calculation will vary by vehicle, route, electricity prices, charging access, and how intensively a truck is used; the report does not provide a universal payback period.
The sales record suggests that the global market is expanding, but its concentration matters. With more than nine in 10 first-half sales in China, the headline growth does not mean adoption is advancing evenly. Chinese manufacturers’ rising exports could widen availability elsewhere, while trade rules, local service networks, charging infrastructure, and purchase costs will shape whether those vehicles gain customers in other regions.
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A Divided Global Truck Market
BloombergNEF’s figures point to a market whose growth has been building over several years, with the first-half 2026 record arriving amid higher diesel prices. The source attributes the price surge to the Iran war but does not set out the size or duration of the increase in each country. Fuel-price effects should therefore be understood as an additional factor in the sales trend, not the sole cause.
The U.S. picture differs from China’s. BloombergNEF described the U.S. battery-electric truck market as being at a “near standstill”, citing policy and cost headwinds. The source says the second Trump administration ended zero-emission vehicle tax credits, froze grants for electric trucks and chargers, and worked with Congress to nullify California’s authority to set its own vehicle emissions standards. At the same time, California has committed billions of dollars in incentives and has more zero-emission heavy-duty trucks on the road than any other U.S. state, according to the report.
There are also signs of activity in U.S. manufacturing. Tesla recently said it had begun mass production of its electric semitruck at a Nevada factory. BloombergNEF interviews cited in the source described a price of $250,000 to $300,000 as competitive and said the truck charges faster and has a longer range than electric trucks from traditional manufacturers. Those are attributed assessments; the source does not provide independent comparative test data.
Costs, Policy and Demand Ahead
The figures do not establish how much of the sales increase was caused by higher diesel prices, rather than policies, vehicle availability, battery costs, or other market factors. The source also does not specify whether its sales count includes deliveries, registrations, or another measure, or provide the full methodology behind the estimate.
It remains unclear how long diesel prices will stay elevated and whether they will materially change fleet purchasing decisions after the first half of 2026. Sales outside China, the scale and destination of Chinese exports, and the effect of U.S. policy changes on orders and deployment are also uncertain. The source’s claims about Tesla’s truck price, charging speed, and range are attributed to industry interviews rather than independently documented specifications or comparisons.
Watch Sales Beyond China
The next useful test will be whether electric truck sales continue growing in the second half of 2026 and whether adoption broadens beyond China. Fleet decisions will depend on the relationship between diesel and electricity costs, vehicle purchase prices, charging availability, and government incentives. Further data could clarify whether the first-half record marks sustained growth or a short-term peak.
Developments to watch include additional Chinese export figures, deployments in markets such as Norway and Switzerland, and changes to U.S. incentives and emissions policy. Tesla’s production start may add another model to the U.S. market, but the source does not state how many trucks have been built, delivered, or ordered. Those details will help show whether announced manufacturing activity translates into wider fleet use.
Key Questions
How many electric trucks were sold worldwide in the first half of 2026?
BloombergNEF estimated that nearly 160,000 medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks were sold worldwide in the first six months of 2026.
How much did sales grow compared with the first half of 2025?
The figure was about 75% higher than sales in the first half of 2025, according to BloombergNEF as cited by Canary Media.
Which country leads electric truck sales?
China accounted for more than nine out of 10 electric trucks sold worldwide in the first half of 2026, according to the report.
Are higher diesel prices the only reason sales are rising?
No. The report says higher diesel prices strengthen the operating-cost case for electric trucks, but it does not establish that fuel prices caused the sales increase. Policy support, vehicle supply, battery costs, and other factors may also affect purchases.
What is the status of the U.S. electric truck market?
BloombergNEF described the U.S. battery-electric truck market as at a “near standstill”, citing policy and cost barriers. California incentives and Tesla’s reported start of semitruck mass production are among the developments the source identifies as exceptions or potential bright spots.
Source: rss
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