Sales of new energy heavy-duty trucks in China surged to a record level in December 2025, pushing market penetration above 50% for the first time, as buyers rushed to lock in incentives ahead of policy changes, industry data showed.
China sold 45,300 new energy heavy-duty trucks domestically in December, accounting for 53.89% of total heavy-duty truck sales of 84,000 units, according to data from CV World. The penetration rate jumped more than 17 percentage points from November’s 36.45%, marking a historic milestone for electrification in the segment.
December sales of new energy heavy-duty trucks rose 198% year on year and 62% from November, far outpacing the overall heavy-duty truck market, which grew 21% year on year in the same month. However, analysts cautioned that the spike reflects short-term policy effects rather than a sudden structural shift in underlying demand.
CV World said the surge was largely driven by the impending expiration of trade-in subsidies and by fleet operators moving purchases forward to avoid higher new energy vehicle-related tax costs expected in 2026. As a result, part of next year’s demand has effectively been front-loaded, raising the likelihood that monthly sales in early 2026 may fall well short of December’s peak.
Despite the expected near-term volatility, industry observers say the longer-term electrification trend remains intact. The economic case for new energy heavy-duty trucks is strengthening, according to Caijing, which cited operating cost advantages as the primary driver of adoption. Over a ten-year service life, new energy heavy-duty trucks can save about 1.2 million yuan ($170,000) compared with diesel-powered vehicles, Caijing reported, citing Xia Nan.
Battery maker CATL has emerged as a key enabler of the shift, launching standardized battery swap packs for heavy-duty trucks in May 2025. The company has said it expects electrification in the segment to reach around 50% within the next three years, supported by lower operating costs and faster refuelling through swapping.
For the full year, China sold 231,100 new energy heavy-duty trucks in 2025, up 182% from a year earlier. The annual penetration rate climbed to 28.89%, more than double the 13.61% recorded in 2024, highlighting the pace at which electrification is reshaping the commercial vehicle market.
Regionally, Shanghai led the country in new energy heavy-duty truck registrations in 2025 with 34,100 units, followed by Shenzhen with 11,700 units and Guangzhou with 9,685 units, according to the data.