Zero-emission truck adoption is growing, but slowing against a tough regulatory environment

Despite the Trump Administration last year striking many regulations aimed at spreading the deployment of electric trucks, the U.S. hit 59,313 cumulative zero-emission vehicle deployments as of June 2025 (.39% of the total truck stock), according to the latest Zeroing in on Zero-Emission Trucks (ZETs) report released by CALSTART.

Nearly all of these deployments, according to CALSTART, are battery-electric, though 197 hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks have been deployed in the heavy-duty (HD) truck segment, including 42 added in the first 6 months of 2025. The price of hydrogen must be around $5/kg to make hydrogen fuel cell trucks a market competitive option, CALSTART said, noting the current market rate for hydrogen is between three and six times higher.

CALSTART Vice President of Trucks and Off-Road Tor Larson noted progress in deployments is being driven “by clear policy signals; smart incentives; and close coordination between fleets, manufacturers, utilities and governments.”

Coverage also seen in Automotive Fleet, Ideal Giants, Atlas EV Hub, Charged Fleet, Transportation Today, The Trucker, Gov Tech, and Waste360.

Read the full article