87044200
VEHICLES OTHER THAN RAILWAY OR TRAMWAY ROLLING STOCK, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES THEREOF›Motor vehicles for the transport of goods
Of a gross vehicle weight exceeding 5 tonnes but not exceeding 20 tonnes
Subcodes (3)
Electric trucks 5-20 tonnes GVW CN 8704 42
CN code 8704 42 covers trucks powered exclusively by electric motors with GVW from 5 to 20 tonnes. This segment includes medium electric trucks for urban distribution, waste collection, and regional transport. Models such as Mercedes eActros 300, Volvo FL Electric, MAN eTGL/eTGM, DAF LF Electric, and Renault Trucks E-Tech D offer 200-400 km range with 200-400 kWh batteries. These vehicles eliminate exhaust emissions and noise, enabling night-time urban operations. Type-approval under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, electrical safety per Regulation No 100. Charging via CCS Combo 2 or MCS for high power.
Import and regulations
Importing electric trucks 5-20 tonnes (CN 8704 42) is subject to duty and VAT. No excise. Rates in TARIC/ISZTAR4. EU type-approval required. Batteries subject to Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. Electric vehicles benefit from tax preferences and may be subsidised from government and EU programmes. Heavy vehicle charging infrastructure requires significant investment – AFIR requires charging stations for heavy vehicles along TEN-T.
Medium electric truck outlook
Electric trucks 5-20 tonnes (CN 8704 42) are among the fastest-developing zero-emission transport segments. Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 requires significant CO2 reductions for heavy vehicles. Low-emission zones favour electric vehicles. TCO approaches diesel parity. European manufacturers are intensively developing offerings in this segment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of an electric truck 5-20 tonnes?
Electric truck range at 5-20 tonnes is typically 200-400 km per charge with 200-400 kWh batteries. Actual range depends on load, road conditions, and temperature. CCS/MCS fast charging enables top-ups during driver breaks. For urban and regional operations, this range is usually sufficient.
Can electric trucks access zero-emission zones?
Yes, electric trucks as zero-emission vehicles have unrestricted access to low-emission zones (LEZ) and zero-emission zones (ZEZ) in European cities. They may also benefit from preferential entry conditions, lower road tolls, and exemptions from weekend driving bans applying to combustion vehicles in some EU countries.
What charging systems are used for electric trucks?
Electric trucks 5-20 tonnes use standard CCS Combo 2 for DC charging up to 350 kW and the developing MCS (Megawatt Charging System) up to 1 MW and beyond. Depot charging (overnight) uses 22-150 kW. Charging time depends on battery capacity and station power – full overnight charging takes 6-10 hours, fast DC top-up 45-90 minutes.
Useful tools & resources
Customs calculators
Related glossary terms