Sustainable Trucking at the Global Decarbonization Summit

A Case for Change 

Dominique opened his speech with a personal reflection: “I would not be here today if it weren’t for trucks.” From the food on our tables to the goods in our hands, trucks connect producers, businesses and consumers with unmatched flexibility and reliability. Yet, their environmental impact looms large. Globally, freight transport accounts for 8% of greenhouse gas emissions (IEA, 2018), and in Europe, transport is the largest emissions sector, with trucks—98.3% of which run on diesel (ACEA, 2019)—playing a significant role. Decarbonising this sector, Dominique argued, is essential to preserving its benefits and ensuring a sustainable future. 
 

A Vision for Tomorrow 

The path forward lies in a diverse range of solutions, with electric truck technologies at the forefront. Dominique emphasised their advantages: higher energy efficiency, growing renewable energy support, competitive costs over time and social benefits like quieter, cleaner operation for drivers and communities. Unlike biofuels, constrained by feedstock limits, or hydrogen, hindered by cost and infrastructure challenges and limited green hydrogen, electric trucks offer a scalable, practical solution. New models now boast ranges exceeding 500km, and while only 1.2% of heavy trucks sold in Europe in 2024 were zero-emission (ICCT), the market is poised for growth. 

Challenges to Overcome 

Transitioning to electric fleets at scale requires action on multiple fronts: 

• The Right Trucks: Manufacturers are stepping up, but supply must accelerate to meet demand. 

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Electric trucks are 2-3 times more expensive upfront than diesel counterparts, though policy incentives can close the gap—e.g., a projected 1.6% TCO reduction for electric semi-trailers in France (IDDRI). 

• Charging Infrastructure: Europe needs 120 new charging parks and 17,800 depot stations by 2030 (PwC, 2024) to enable pan-European e-truck routes. The EU’s recent €298 million investment in 5,000 charging points is a start, with 2,000 earmarked for heavy-duty vehicles. 

• Policy Support: CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), alongside measures like the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) and Eurovignettes, are critical to driving market shifts and reducing costs. 

 
Geopost’s Commitment 

At Geopost, we’re not just talking about change—we’re acting on it. Our net zero target, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), commits us to 50% low-emission linehaul by 2030 and 100% by 2040. In the short term, we’re using biofuels like HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) as a bridge—already powering 16% of our linehaul in 2024 across operations like DPD UK, BRT, and Chronopost. Looking ahead, electric trucks are our future, with around 15 already in service and best practices emerging from Switzerland, where tailored e-trucks have set distance records. As a founding member of EV100+, we’re collaborating with companies like IKEA and Unilever to signal demand, while engaging OEMs, energy providers, and policymakers to build the ecosystem needed for success. 
 

A Call to Collaborate 

Dominique’s message was clear: decarbonising trucking is a collective effort. Truck operators, cargo owners, manufacturers, infrastructure developers, and policymakers must align to meet the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality goal and the Paris Agreement’s targets. At Geopost, we’re proud to lead Europe’s cross-border delivery network—holding a 14% market share—and we see our role as both a responsibility and an opportunity to drive sustainable progress. By embracing electric trucks and innovative solutions, we aim to secure a cleaner, more resilient future for parcel delivery and the communities we serve.