Electric trucks in China have already ditched diesel, now they’re ditching the driver

China has rapidly advanced beyond the initial phase of electrifying its heavy-duty trucking fleet, now shifting focus towards autonomous driving technology. As of December 2025, electric trucks accounted for 54% of new heavy-duty truck sales in the country, surpassing diesel vehicles for the first time. With over half a million electric heavy trucks currently operating on Chinese roads, the nation is pioneering the integration of driverless technology into commercial freight transport. A notable example of this progress was showcased at the recent Beijing Autoshow, where Kargobot, a spin-off from the global rideshare company Didi, presented its autonomous heavy-duty trucks. These vehicles have already accumulated over 35 million kilometres of Level 4 autonomous driving, meaning they can operate without human intervention under certain conditions. Kargobot employs a hybrid “1+N” platooning system in which a single human-driven lead truck guides a convoy of fully autonomous trucks, optimising efficiency and safety in complex driving scenarios. The benefits of this technology extend beyond labour savings, with Kargobot claiming up to an 80% reduction in labour costs and a 5-10% decrease in energy consumption due to aerodynamic advantages in platooning. The latest cab-less models further enhance efficiency by eliminating the driver’s cockpit, allowing for increased cargo capacity and housing a large 1026kWh battery that supports an estimated 800km range. China’s extensive battery-swapping infrastructure also plays a crucial role, enabling rapid battery changes to minimise downtime compared to traditional charging. While the Chinese market leads the way in combining electrification and autonomy in trucking, questions remain about the readiness of other countries, such as Australia, to adopt similar technologies. Australia’s heavy reliance on road freight underscores the importance of electrifying its trucking fleet to safeguard supply chains amid global uncertainties. However, the transition to fully autonomous trucks may require further infrastructure development and regulatory acceptance before becoming viable on a large scale outside China.