As the consulting firm Oliver Wyman remarks in its analysis , electromobility, which first affected the car market and is now reaching the commercial vehicle industry, is responsible for this development. This will gradually replace the diesel engine as the previous competitive advantage of European truck manufacturers. Political policy is also exerting pressure: while heavy commercial vehicles account for about a quarter of CO2 emissions from the transport sector, the EU aims to cut emissions by 30% by 2030. Oliver Wyman expects that 25% of trucks sold in Germany will already be equipped with alternative drives by that time.

The consultants are recommending that the industry look for new business models, such as holistic operator models and transport solutions. After all, if battery-powered drives gain acceptance, the competition will become even tougher, since electric truck engines hardly differ from one another. A broader portfolio allows companies to base their profits on a range of services. Batteries and charging as well as a customized parts and service offer for new and used vehicles also hold potential for profit.

The market is already on the move: in June, Daimler presented two electric trucks – the eCascadia and the eM2 106 – for long-distance transport and the medium-heavy segment. The company also announced the establishment of a global eMobility group. MAN's eTRUCK is also being tested.