Rest or work? The unresolved question of charging time for e-truck drivers

Rest or work? The unresolved question of charging time for e-truck drivers

trans.info — 2025-10-02

Land transportation

Electric trucks are entering European roads, but the absence of clear regulations raises a key question: should the time spent waiting for batteries to charge be considered part of a driver’s mandatory rest period?

The introduction of electric trucks brings major legal and organisational challenges. In the Czech Republic, a debate is underway over whether charging time can count as drivers’ rest. Trade unions argue that the process requires attention and responsibility, and therefore cannot be treated as genuine rest. Hauliers, meanwhile, are calling for clear, practical rules that will not burden them with extra costs or red tape.

Czech hauliers are actively engaged in talks over the new rules. Industry bodies such as ČESMAD Bohemia warn that without precise regulations, every charging session could automatically be counted as working time, creating significant organisational and financial complications.

ČESMAD representatives have already begun working with the International Road Transport Union (IRU) and the European Commission on possible amendments to driving time and rest period rules.

“So far we have defined a basic parameter: if vehicle charging does not require the driver’s assistance, it should be considered a break or rest. Trade unions want this changed, but if the driver has nothing to do, there is no reason [to treat it as work],” the organisation wrote on its Facebook page.

The clash of interests highlights the need for a compromise that balances safety at work with the economic realities of transport operations.

Concerns over costs and pace of change

For hauliers, fleet electrification represents both an opportunity and a challenge. Their main concerns are the high purchase costs of zero-emission trucks and the speed at which new regulations will be rolled out. The sector fears overly strict requirements could undermine competitiveness and efficiency in road transport.

Czech hauliers also stress that road transport is expanding faster than rail infrastructure, adding further pressure for clear and workable rules on e-trucks.

Prospects and uncertainty

The debate over how to classify charging time is only the beginning of wider discussions on the future of transport in the Czech Republic and across Europe. The industry is calling for stable legal frameworks that enable the safe and efficient introduction of new technologies.

Fleet electrification is inevitable — but its success will depend on a balanced approach from lawmakers, hauliers, and trade unions. The Czech Republic is emerging as one of the countries where the real future of e-mobility in road transport is now taking shape.