KATHMANDU: Hybrid and electric semi-truck sales in China crossed 231,000 units in 2025, marking strong growth in the heavy-duty New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment.
According to industry data, China registered 231,100 NEV trucks in 2025. This figure includes battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and extended-range electric trucks. Sales increased by 182 percent compared to 2024.
Growth accelerated towards the end of the year. In December alone, around 45,300 heavy-duty NEV trucks were registered. These vehicles accounted for 54 percent of total new heavy-duty truck sales for the month. Year-on-year growth stood at 198 percent, while month-on-month growth reached 62 percent.
Industry website CV World attributed part of the surge to government policy. A national commercial vehicle trade-in subsidy was phased out in 2025. Buyers also anticipated new NEV purchase tax costs starting in 2026. Many fleet operators advanced replacement plans to benefit from existing incentives.
Lower operating costs also supported demand. CATL’s commercial vehicle sales director Xia Nan stated that an NEV truck can save up to 1.2 million yuan over a ten-year period compared to a diesel truck.
Charging infrastructure is expanding to support heavy truck electrification. High-speed charging stations and battery swap networks for commercial vehicles are being deployed to reduce downtime.
Market concentration is also increasing. A 2025 ICCT report shows that XCMG, SANY, FAW, Shacman, and Yutong control 61 percent of China’s zero-emission heavy truck market. This mirrors the dominance seen in the diesel truck segment.
CV World noted that the zero-emission heavy truck market has reached a similar level of maturity as internal combustion models.
New entrants are shaping the next phase of growth. Windrose Technology is focusing on long-haul Class 8-equivalent trucks. Pony.ai is developing convoy-based autonomous freight solutions.
Outside China, more than 90,000 zero-emission semi-trucks were sold in the first half of 2025. In comparison, the United States recorded only around 200 NEV semi-truck sales during the same period.
