Shell: Can Electric HGVs Beat Diesel Trucks on Price? Electric trucking has long been dismissed as too expensive and too impractical to compete with traditional diesel alternatives. However, a new report from Shell and its subsidiary SBRS suggests that framing misses the point. The whitepaper argues that the real measure of viability when it comes to modern trucking is total cost of ownership, or TCO, which is the full lifecycle expense of running a vehicle. Shell's modelling suggests that heavy-duty fleets that use an integrated charging network can register a TCO 10% lower than diesel models. Naturally, this is a figure that has prompted keen interest across the logistics and energy sectors, but it is not without caveats, since the savings only materialise under certain conditions. The upfront problem In today's market, electric trucks are still considered a luxury, generally costing between 1.6 and 2.3 times more than their diesel counterparts brand new. The second-hand market for these vehicles, meanwhile, is still small, immature and unpredictable. Then there is the question of infrastructure. Upgrading a depot is often constrained by grid capacity, while the availability of charging points along trucking routes remains a concern in many countries. When it comes to cost, though, Shell argues that focusing on the upfront purchase alone misses the longer-term savings. According to the report, electric trucks can be 55% more energy efficient than their diesel equivalents, meaning that there is the opportunity to save on running costs if charging is managed well. Creating a cost-effective electric fleet Shell's promise of a 10% TCO advantage rests on three things working well together in unison. The first is converting depot charging infrastructure into a revenue stream by opening it to third-party operators when the fleet's own vehicles are on the road. Shell is no stranger to