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Electrically powered trucks have a historical precedence, predating internal combustion counterparts and maintaining continuous availability since the mid-19th century. Autocar Trucks set a milestone in the 1920s as the first major truck manufacturer to offer a selection of electric trucks for sale. These electric trucks found success in urban delivery roles and specialized tasks such as forklifts and pushback tugs.
The ascendancy of liquid fuels with higher energy density led to the waning popularity of electric-powered trucks. Gasoline, followed by diesel and CNG-fueled engines, dominated the scene until the 2000s when advancements in battery technology, new chemistries, and increased production volumes expanded the applicability of electric propulsion to a broader range of truck roles. Presently, manufacturers are electrifying all types of trucks in anticipation of national regulatory requirements, with long-range over-the-road trucks presenting the most formidable challenge.
The term “truck” traces its origins back to 1611 when it denoted the sturdy wheels on ships’ cannon carriages. Derived from the Greek “Trokhos,” meaning “wheel,” the word evolved to encompass carts for transporting heavy loads, a usage dating back to 1771. The extended application of “motor-powered load carrier” emerged in 1930, abbreviated from “motor truck,” a term coined as early as 1901.
The etymology of “lorry” is less certain but likely stems from the rail transport industry, where it was first recorded in 1838 to describe a type of truck, specifically a large flat wagon (in British usage). While the verb “lurry,” meaning to carry or drag along, dates back to 1664, the connection is not definitive. The expanded meaning of “lorry” as a “self-propelled vehicle for carrying goods” has been in use since 1911