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Decarbonisation must be global — not just local.

The shift toward zero-emission transport is often defined by headlines from Europe, China, and North America. But BloombergNEF’s Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles Factbook reveals a broader, equally critical story: the next chapter of clean freight is being written in India, Latin America, and Africa.

These emerging economies are expanding logistics networks at unprecedented speed — yet face significant constraints in electrification infrastructure. Grid limitations, charging scarcity, and affordability challenges remain pervasive.

In this reality, hybrid trucks are not a fallback — they are the enablers of real progress today.

Real Progress, Under Real Conditions

BloombergNEF highlights rapid freight growth in countries like India and Brazil, where commercial vehicle demand is rising in parallel with economic expansion. Domestic OEMs — including Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Eka Mobility — are launching hybrid and electric models, while Chinese manufacturers such as JAC, Foton, and BYD are supplying vehicles across Mexico, Chile, and Brazil.

Yet despite this momentum, charging networks remain sparse, and power reliability varies significantly between urban and rural corridors. Many pilot projects for battery-electric trucks still depend on temporary or imported infrastructure.

This is where hybridisation aligns ambition with reality — enabling emissions reduction without waiting for infrastructure to catch up.

Hybrids: Accelerating the Transition, Not Delaying It

Hybrid trucks combine electric drive for urban low-emission zones with efficient combustion for long-haul transport— an ideal configuration for countries facing infrastructure gaps and extended route profiles.

Consider the global battery cost divide: while China sees average pack prices near $90/kWh, costs in Europe and North America remain around $180–190/kWh. Hybrid systems, with smaller battery requirements, offer a cost-effective path to electrification that reduces capital costs and dependency on critical minerals.

For fleets in developing regions, this means scalable, immediate decarbonisation — tangible CO₂ reductions without compromising uptime or freight capacity.

Beyond Vehicles: Building Local Capability

Hybrid technology delivers more than operational efficiency — it fosters domestic value creation.

By integrating hybrids into local manufacturing, service, and vocational training ecosystems, countries can develop in-house expertise in electric powertrains, diagnostics, and energy storage. This builds resilience, reduces reliance on imported technologies, and creates skilled jobs across the transport value chain.

BloombergNEF notes that future growth in truck demand will be concentrated in emerging markets. Enabling these regions to decarbonise now is not just smart policy — it’s essential for global climate targets.

A Just and Inclusive Transition, Powered by Hybrids

Hybrid trucks make clean freight possible in regions that cannot wait for full electrification. They expand access to zero-emission technology, deliver immediate impact, and offer long-term relevance for diverse use cases — particularly in long-haul, mixed-duty, and infrastructure-constrained operations.

The energy transition will not be linear — but with smart solutions like hybridisation, it can be inclusive, resilient, and global.

Read mor here: https://assets.bbhub.io/professional/sites/24/Zero-Emission-Commercial-Vehicles-Factbook-2025.pdf