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German automotive supplier MAHLE has called for a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising the commercial vehicle sector, stating that battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) alone will not be sufficient to meet future transport requirements. The company believes that hydrogen, renewable fuels and range extender technologies must work alongside electrification to achieve meaningful reductions in CO₂ emissions.
The company shared its vision during Media Tech Day 2026, where it unveiled a new range extender system for battery-electric trucks and a rare-earth-free electric motor. Arnd Franz, Chairman of the Group Management Board and CEO of MAHLE, said that reducing emissions from road transport will require a combination of battery-electric vehicles, hydrogen and renewable fuels for internal combustion engines (ICE). He also urged policymakers to recognise range extender systems as a practical enabler of electrification and include them in future regulations.
According to Franz, the decarbonisation of commercial vehicles will require more than advanced technologies. It will also depend on the expansion of charging infrastructure, hydrogen refuelling stations, cost-effective energy storage solutions and supportive government policies, enabling fleet operators to adopt cleaner mobility solutions without compromising productivity.
MAHLE expects internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to remain dominant in the global commercial vehicle market over the next decade. The company estimates that ICE vehicles will account for around 73% of the market by 2035, compared with approximately 83% today. As a result, renewable fuels such as HVO100 biodiesel, bio-LNG and hydrogen will play a crucial role in lowering emissions from both existing and new commercial vehicles.
The company also highlighted the benefits of its newly introduced range extender system, designed to address two major barriers to electric truck adoption limited charging infrastructure and range anxiety. The system combines a battery-electric drivetrain with a compact internal combustion engine that functions solely as a generator, allowing trucks to achieve a driving range of more than 800 km while reducing battery size and overall vehicle weight.
MAHLE believes the future of commercial mobility lies in a multi-powertrain strategy. While battery-electric trucks are expected to dominate urban and regional transport, the company says hydrogen fuel-cell technology, renewable fuels and range extenders will be essential for long-haul operations where charging infrastructure remains inadequate. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also noted that different zero- and low-emission technologies will be required across freight applications due to varying operational needs.
Meanwhile, India's commercial vehicle market continues to witness strong growth. According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), domestic commercial vehicle wholesales increased 18.3% year-on-year to 264,831 units during the April–June quarter of FY2026-27, marking the highest-ever first-quarter sales. The growth was driven by replacement demand, increased activity in the mining and cement sectors, while exports rose 43.3% during the same period.
Despite this momentum, electric commercial vehicles still account for a relatively small share of the Indian CV market. Adoption remains concentrated in electric buses and light commercial vehicles used for urban logistics and public transport. Electrification of medium- and heavy-duty trucks continues to face challenges such as high upfront costs, limited charging infrastructure and long-haul operational requirements, prompting suppliers like MAHLE to promote range extender technologies alongside battery-electric powertrains.
Looking ahead, MAHLE expects to outperform the commercial vehicle market over the next five years, driven by growing demand for electrification products including thermal management modules, electric fans, charging connection boxes, battery cooling plates and traction motors, while continuing to supply components for internal combustion engine vehicles.
"The transformation to climate-neutral road transport is technically feasible and economically viable. However, it can only be achieved through coordinated efforts by industry, governments and customers," said Arnd Franz.
