The landscape of medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles (MHD EVs) has experienced a remarkable transformation over the past few years. Just five years ago, in early 2020, electric trucks were a rare sight on U.S. roads, with most fleets only beginning to explore the potential of electrification. Fast forward to today, and the market has evolved significantly, with over 38,000 electric trucks now in operation across 386 fleets—marking a shift from initial pilot projects to broader adoption.
EDF’s Electric Fleet Deployment & Commitment List reveals that in 2020, the number of electric trucks on the road was merely 219, with announcements from 66 companies. Many fleets were making public commitments to integrating electric trucks, primarily focusing on pilot projects. A significant indicator of market trends was Amazon’s order of 100,000 Class 2b Rivian vans in 2019, highlighting the industry’s trajectory as technology advanced and more options became available.
In 2021, the pace of electric truck deployments picked up significantly, with 611 new trucks hitting the road within the year, bringing the total to more than 800. The momentum continued in 2022, with cumulative deployments reaching 2,898. That year also saw an increase in fleet commitments, like the U.S. Postal Service’s pledge to switch their delivery fleet to electric vehicles, and Walmart’s commitment to deploying over 10,000 electric vehicles for last-mile delivery.
The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022 played a crucial role in accelerating the MHD electric vehicle market through 2023 and 2024. This legislation, along with robust vehicle standards, provided clear guidance for manufacturers, fleets, and infrastructure providers to advance cleaner truck technologies. Consequently, 2023 witnessed a record deployment of 10,675 trucks, and 2024 surpassed that record with 15,431 new deployments. In total, 26,106 electric trucks were announced during these two years, a stark contrast to the 2,898 deployed in prior years.
Despite the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act, 2025 saw sustained investment and commitment in the electric vehicle sector, with over 134,000 electric trucks ordered since the Act was initially passed. Announcements for 9,139 new electric truck deployments in 2025 marked a 14% decrease from the peak in 2023, yet still ranked as the third-highest year for deployments.
In 2025, 49 new fleets announced electric truck deployments, while 20 fleets made new order commitments. Interestingly, 61% of these fleets were making such announcements for the first time, and nearly half of those placing new orders had previously announced orders or deployments, indicating strong confidence among early adopters.
Looking forward, 2026 may encounter challenges due to shifting incentives and potential economic constraints. Nevertheless, electric trucks continue to offer viable solutions for reducing emissions and enhancing operational efficiency. The transportation industry is poised to make zero-emission technologies the norm, with fleets playing a crucial role in this transition.
To keep the momentum, fleets can:
- Set ambitious goals with clear implementation strategies.
- Collaborate with policymakers to align with climate and air quality goals.
- Showcase achievements and share best practices to minimize perceived risks.
- Support policies and investments that bolster clean vehicle development.
Since 2020, significant progress has been made in reducing diesel truck emissions, but continued efforts are necessary to achieve 100% zero-emission truck sales by 2040. Fleets looking to electrify can access resources at EDF’s Fleet Electrification Solution Center or explore the Electric Fleet Stories series. The Electric Fleet Deployment & Commitment List continues to provide updated data on orders and commitments, with new developments expected in 2026.
Original Story at blogs.edf.org