Is Freight Transportation Difficult in 2025? After Winter Testing, Electric Cars Put A Lot Of Pressure On Gasoline Cars

The freight market in 2025 is likely to be the most challenging in a decade. Why is that? Firstly, the economic downturn has led to a supply-demand imbalance-more trucks but less cargo. Secondly, the penetration rate of pure electric trucks will increase rapidly. Two years ago, vehicles on the road were predominantly diesel-powered, and freight rates were calculated based on diesel costs. But now, the penetration rate of pure electric heavy-duty trucks has exceeded 10%, while that of pure electric and hydrogen-powered trucks has surpassed 20%. It's important to note that the operating cost of electric vehicles is only one-third to one-half of diesel vehicles. With such fierce market competition, pure electric trucks will inevitably gain rapid market share this year. Jobs that diesel trucks shy away from will be taken on by electric trucks. In the future, freight rates may be controlled by battery manufacturers. Some friends in northern China, especially in the Northeast, might disagree, arguing that electric vehicles struggle in extreme cold-batteries don't last, charging efficiency declines, and making money with EVs in the North is impossible. But let's not jump to conclusions yet. Recently, CATL and the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers conducted extreme cold tests at minus 35°C, evaluating small trucks, light trucks, and slow-speed vehicles. The results were surprising: with CATL's 165 kWh Tianxing battery, a range of 361 km was achieved, averaging 2.3 km per kWh. This means a standard 100 kWh battery in a light truck could easily reach over 200 km, meeting most daily needs for light truck users. CATL also tested cold starts, power output stability, and charging duration, all passing the extreme cold test. Notably, a truck with a 4% charge reached 85% in just 32 minutes during charging experiments. Battery technology is advancing rapidly, and CATL has introduced the Tianxing series for the commercial vehicle industry, addressing various issues related to battery performance in extreme cold. The old belief that pure electric trucks can't operate in Northeast winters is outdated. As battery capacity continues to grow, freight rates will further decline. By then, only pure electric trucks may remain profitable, making it extremely difficult for diesel trucks to compete. The electrification of the freight market is the industry's inevitable trend. Stay tuned for more updates.