Global sales of electric trucks and buses surpassed 500,000 units in 2025, increasing 86% for the second consecutive year as China drove most of the growth and electric bus adoption expanded across several major markets, according to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT).
China accounted for nearly 90% of global electric truck and bus sales. Electric truck sales in the country’s medium- and heavy-duty segments have more than quintupled over the past two years, while fully electric vehicles represented nearly 30% of heavy truck sales in 2025.
Faster Electric Vehicle Adoption Could Prevent More Than 100,000 U.S. Deaths, ICCT Report Finds
The ICCT attributed the expansion in part to falling battery costs and supportive policies in China.
“In a sector traditionally defined by low profit margins, the long-term economic case for battery electric trucks is becoming clear, and China offers lessons to draw from. Battery electric trucks offer operational cost advantages which have made the case for truck electrification very compelling,” said Shiyue Mao, ICCT researcher and lead author of the report.
Electric Buses Lead Commercial Vehicle Electrification
Battery electric buses accounted for 17% of global bus sales in 2025, making them the leading electric commercial vehicle segment in most regions.
Outside China and the United States, battery electric buses represented 56% of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales. The European Union recorded about 9,800 electric bus sales, while India registered around 5,000 units.
Global EV Sales Surpassed 20 Million Units in 2025, ICCT Says
Chile recorded the fastest growth among the markets covered, with battery electric bus sales rising 299% in 2025. Electric buses increased their share of the Chilean bus market from 26% in 2024 to 45% in 2025.
Canada recorded 188% growth, Brazil increased 161% and Thailand rose 34%.
“Chile’s electric bus success shows electrification isn’t confined to certain regions. Despite changes in government, the capital of Santiago has remained committed for over a decade to fleet electrification—combining public contracts with import policies that attract domestic and foreign investors. The result: cheaper transport and cleaner air for people,” said Felipe Rodríguez, ICCT Heavy-Duty Vehicles Program Director.
Electric Truck Adoption Remains Concentrated in China
Electric truck sales outside China remained comparatively limited, totaling about 41,000 units in 2025. Adoption nevertheless increased in several markets as policies, vehicle availability and operating economics improved.
The United States recorded approximately 24,500 electric truck sales, most of them medium-duty delivery vehicles. Sales of medium-duty electric trucks increased 5% from 2024, while heavy-duty truck sales declined slightly.
ICCT Study: Europe to Require Up to 5,300 Megawatt Chargers for Electric Trucks by 2030
Overall U.S. electric truck sales were broadly unchanged despite regulatory changes, including the rollback of the Phase 3 greenhouse gas standards and the states’ waiver for implementing the Advanced Clean Trucks rule.
European Union Truck Sales Rise 71%
Electric truck sales in the European Union increased 71% in 2025 to a 4.5% market share.
The growth coincided with the introduction of the EU’s first CO2 emissions targets for truck manufacturers in July 2025. The rules require a 15% reduction in emissions.
Electric medium-duty trucks recorded particularly strong growth, with their market share increasing from about 10% in 2024 to 21% in 2025.
UK and India Increase Electric Truck Sales
The United Kingdom recorded 677 electric truck sales in 2025, up from 345 units a year earlier. The market is also considering additional policy support through new zero-emission vehicle sales targets.
India’s electric truck sales more than doubled to 767 units in 2025. National and local subsidies and incentives have supported adoption in the country’s commercial vehicle market.
The figures highlight a widening gap between electric truck adoption in China and other markets, while electric buses continue to provide a major pathway for commercial vehicle electrification across Europe, India and Latin America.
