Every day, millions of lorries travel across Europe’s roads, transporting goods and keeping a large part of the European economy running. Most of these vehicles, however, still run on diesel.
That is expected to change over the coming decades. The EU has set ambitious climate targets and aims to gradually decarbonise the transport sector. Luxembourg also intends, and in some cases is required, to contribute to this transition.
At a conference held at the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, new government support measures were presented. They are designed to encourage companies in the logistics and transportation sectors to switch to zero-emission vehicles, such as electric lorries, vans, tractors, or buses.
For Economy Minister Lex Delles, the energy transition is also a matter of economic security. He explained that geopolitical tensions and international conflicts repeatedly demonstrate how dependent Europe still is on external energy sources.
Delles said that recent global tensions highlight the importance of strengthening the resilience of both Luxembourg and Europe, noting that decisions taken outside the EU can still have a major impact on energy prices and therefore on fuel costs domestically. He stressed that electrifying transport could help reduce this dependence and strengthen the use of renewable energy.
The government has also launched two new calls for projects targeting companies in the transport sector that want to invest in zero-emission vehicles. Around €10 million in subsidies have been allocated for the measure.
According to estimates, this could help finance around 50 vehicles. The subsidies are intended to partially offset the price difference between diesel lorries and zero-emission vehicles.
The programme does not only apply to heavy freight vehicles, vans and vehicles used for shorter distances can also be included.
In conversation with RTL, Daniel Kohl from the Cluster for Logistics Luxembourg explained that the scheme could support a wide range of vehicles, from smaller vans to large long-distance lorries. He noted that it is important for the sector to gain its first practical experience with electric mobility to better understand how operations and logistics will need to adapt.
Within the transport sector, however, the transition will take time. Electric lorries remain significantly more expensive than traditional diesel vehicles.
The purchase price of a battery-electric lorry can be up to 150% higher than that of a diesel equivalent. For companies, this represents not only a major financial investment but also requires changes in how deliveries are organised.
Ben Frin, finance director at the logistics company Arthur Welter Transports, said zero-emission lorries are still relatively unusual in the sector. Introducing them requires considerable effort in both operational planning and financing, he said.
Vehicle range is another challenge. Frin said that while diesel lorries can travel up to 1,000 kilometres without refuelling, electric models generally reach around 400–500 kilometres on a single charge.
He explained that this means vehicles must stop more frequently and for longer periods to recharge, resulting in longer breaks for drivers, higher operating costs, and potential challenges for punctual deliveries.
In addition, the heavy batteries used in electric lorries increase the vehicle weight, which can slightly reduce the amount of cargo they can carry.
Charging infrastructure will also play a crucial role in the transition. At EU level, plans foresee that charging stations for heavy vehicles will be available every 60 kilometres along major transport corridors by 2030. Luxembourg also aims to contribute by launching parallel calls for projects to develop charging infrastructure.
Another issue remains the price of electricity. Transport companies say tariffs can vary widely between charging stations and are often not transparent, making route planning more complicated for international transport operations.
Despite these challenges, many actors in the sector agree that the transition to zero-emission lorries has only just begun. With government support, technological progress, and improved infrastructure, the industry could gradually adapt over the coming decades.
