> I don't think Volvo and Daimler make uniformed bets, so there must be some reasoning behind it.

It's probably fair to contrast the EU vs. the USA for this. Given the geographic and political differences, I can see where a European market for trucks might be sufficient for the manufacturers to fund development efforts. I should have been clear that I was thinking primarily of the US, living here and all.

It would be interesting to have a better overview on freight handling in the rest of the world. China tends to be left out of these discussions and I can't imagine wide swathes of Asia or Africa changing anytime soon.

The article is from a British publication and concerns two European vehicle manufacturers producing new vehicles, initially for Europe.

"The Swedish truck-maker is aiming for half its European sales in 2030 to be trucks powered by batteries or hydrogen fuel cells"

"About 300 high-performance hydrogen refueling points would be needed in Europe by 2025"

I'm sure there's enough of a market in Europe for different trucks — there's already different designs and different fuel preferences (diesel/gasoline).

>I'm sure there's enough of a market in Europe for different trucks

Absolutely. Look at the heavy buy-in on diesel automobiles, and they sure weren't shy about subsidies/regulations to favor them.

Subsidies touting efficiencies that turned out to be fictional due to multiple manufactures committing pretty major fraud for decades that was only recently uncovered.

Yeah, that government intervention worked out well :p

> China tends to be left out of these discussions

Volvo is a Chinese-owned company. While the company is headquartered and led in Sweden, it is safe to assume that the Chinese market is a strong consideration in everything they do.

Volvo sold off their car subsidiary to Ford in 1999 and that was later bought by Geely. Volvo Trucks is still owned by the Swedish Volvo Group.

AB Volvo is owned by Geely. Volvo Trucks is wholly owned subsidiary of AB Volvo.

Volvo Cars is owned directly by Geely, but is not a subsidiary of AB Volvo. Which is probably where your confusion is coming from.

> AB Volvo is owned by Geely. Volvo Trucks is wholly owned subsidiary of AB Volvo.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo they remain an independent company with Geely as their second largest shareholder at 8.2%.

More complete breakdown here: https://www.volvogroup.com/en/investors/the-volvo-share/owne...

You're probably thinking of the car company.

Geely owns Volvo Cars, yes. Geely also owns the related, but legally distinct AB Volvo, which owns a Volvo Trucks, Mack Trucks, Volvo Construction, etc.

They are independent companies, but they share an owner.

Indonesia reduced plastic bags quite a bit by a decree in a year. One of the great things about (semi)authoritarian states is how fast they can change. So China influenced parts of Asia could move quite fast when needed. And if they make the right bets - you can transform country in a generation. If you don't - well you have former communist bloc circa 1989.

Volvo and Daimler cannot afford for someone else to get there and hold all the patents. If it doesn't work out at all they will lobby and get the laws changed. If it works out though they won't have a strong a position to lobby from (someone else proved it works, why can't you?) and risk losing that side of the business.

That is enough reason for them to put money into R&D. It might or might not result in anything for many different reasons.