Photo: Volvo, @HinrichsZane via X
While Europe and North America are fundamentally different when it comes to rules and regulations, the two continents may be on the same page when it comes to planning electrified transportation. As Tesla plans to enter the European market with its Semi Class-8 truck, European truck manufacturers are also accelerating their EV truck efforts.
Until recently, it would have been inconceivable to sell an American heavy-duty truck in Europe. The size and weight of an American Class 8 truck are disproportionate to the narrow European roads. There are also regulations in place to limit the length of a truck and trailer. This has led to a fundamental difference between them: while American trucks have a long engine in front of the cab, their European equivalents have adopted a high-cab design.
The reason is that haulage companies want to maximise trailer volume for the limited length of vehicle group allowed by regulations. Ideally, the trailer should reach up to the windscreen of the truck, if possible, without completely eliminating the driver. This is why most European trucks have a day cab, with only the long-distance variants adopting a longer cab that offers the driver more comfort for a night’s sleep.
Many thought that this difference would prevent Tesla from selling the Semi in Europe. For lack of real competition, European truck manufacturers have been holding off on their electrification efforts. Although electric trucks have been tested or offered commercially for years, their mediocre performance has prevented them from becoming true competitors to diesel trucks. Range, in particular, has been very limited, which is understandable considering the brick-like shape of a cab-over semi.
However, the industry has been pushing to loosen length regulations for alternative-fuel trucks, and rumors suggest a decision could be made soon. This explains why Tesla is considering selling the Semi in Europe. Electric vehicle The manufacturer has already brought its popular electric truck to Germany, where it will be on display at the IAA event in Hannover later this month. New information shows that Tesla will offer Semi driving demonstrations to interested parties.
According to the IAA schedule, test drives can take place both on the 2 km (1.25 mile) test track within the fair complex and on public roads. The latter would mean that Semi trucks recently brought to Germany may have been approved to allow such test drives. Tesla has indicated that it may start Semi production in Germany, although no timeframe was given.
The Tesla Semi offers up to 500 miles (800 km) of range, far outpacing all other European electric trucks. For comparison, the best electric trucks from Mercedes-Benz and Volvo can reach 500 km (310 miles). Volvo announced in 2022 that it had started a pilot project with Amazon using the electric version of its FH heavy-duty truck. At the time, the Volvo FH Electric was announced with 300 km (185 miles) of range.
However, as competition intensifies, Volvo has announced a significant update to its FH Electric trucks, increasing the range to 600 km (372 miles). The new electric trucks will begin deliveries in the second half of 2025, allowing haulage companies to use them on inter-regional and long-distance routes. The 600 km range also means the truck can drive a full workday without needing to recharge. Who would have thought that competition was a good thing?