Truck and Bus AC Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2024-2032)

Truck and Bus air conditioning markets relate to industries that supply heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems for various commercial vehicles to provide comfort to passengers by keeping them cool during travel. These markets include installation and maintenance, repair and replacement services in manufacturing, and supply of products. With globalization and urbanization already steadily increasing, the demand for efficient and effective commercial vehicles is relatively high. Regulating temperature and ventilation within cars is achieved through HVAC systems, which serve as key factors for the comfort and health of car drivers and passengers as well as aspects contributing to the appeal and effectiveness of automobiles.

The Truck and Bus AC Market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR of 8.5 % during the forecast period. As new competition emerges in the commercial vehicles market, it becomes important to focus on the driver as well as passenger comfort, and this is where a good HVAC system can play a part and someday become a different pointer. For instance, from October 1, 2025, a notice by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry mandates that all fresh production outputs of trucks come equipped with air-conditioned cabins to accommodate the drivers. The ministry went on to exempt vehicles in the following categories from having to install an air conditioning system; any vehicle that falls under the N2 and N3 categorization.

Based on the vehicle type, the market is segmented into Truck and Bus. The Bus segment is expected to retain a reasonable market share in the forthcoming years due to technological advancement in the industry of buses which has felt a revolutionary change in passenger convenience along with effectiveness. Enhanced air conditioning systems, technology used in the interior of the bus, and enhanced ergonomics have made the journey in a bus more comfortable and so, more and more people prefer to travel by bus instead of traveling in a car.

Based on sales channel, the market is segmented into OEM and aftermarket. Amongst these, the aftermarket segment accounted for the largest global truck and bus AC market share in 2023. This segment also brought in the highest global market share for truck and Bus AC in 2023 among these segments. First, OEMs can share the tasks of designing and providing enhanced and tailor-made AC solutions that meet the requirements of truck and bus-making companies. This allows them to offer a better product, and this is essential today when more and more consumers search for comfort and performance. Secondly, the analytical credit of the industry will extend to the OEM segment, primarily because electrification seems to have caught pace in the automotive industry. While shifting to electric and hybrid car models, new OEMs will be most engaged in the creation and delivery of AC systems compatible with new powertrain concepts.

Based on cooling capacity, the market is segmented into Up to 10 Kw, 10.1-25 Kw, 25.1-40 Kw, and Above 40 Kw grades. The 25.1-40 Kw segment is expected to dominate the market by capacity, owing to its optimal performance and energy efficiency. Additionally, it has ability to provide a perfect balance between power and efficiency. This segment offers a higher cooling capacity than smaller units, making it ideal for larger vehicles and buses. At the same time, it consumes less energy than larger units, resulting in significant cost savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Based on the installation, the market is segmented into Wall Mounted, Rooftop Mounted, and Rear Wall Mounted. Rooftop Mounted segment accounted for a significant share of the global truck and bus AC market in 2023. The rooftop-mounted segment is particularly well-suited to meet the demands of mobile communication in the growing public transportation sector. Such design facilitates cooling in addition to protecting the expansion of the hardware and making it easier for installation and maintenance. Furthermore, rooftop-mounted AC units are usually neater in appearance, giving a durable and smooth look that is slowly replacing the traditional design preferred by operators of buses and trucks.

For a better understanding of the market adoption of the truck and bus AC industry, the market is analyzed based on its worldwide presence in countries such as North America (U.S., Canada, and the Rest of North America), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Rest of World. North America held a significant market share owing to the pace of technological advancements in the industry. Various Innovative solutions which include efficient compressors, advanced control systems, and the integration of smart technologies, are enhancing the performance and energy efficiency of these air conditioning systems, further driving their adoption. The logistics and freight industry in North America, specifically in the US and Canada, is on the rise which is one of the main drivers of growth for the commercial vehicle AC market concerning trucks and buses. The fact is that as e-commerce keeps growing and the activity in international markets increases, more attention has been paid to freight transportation. This has done so to increase the fleets of new trucks and buses, all of which include sophisticated air conditioning systems for the comfort of the drivers and passengers.

Some major players operating in the market include MAHLE GmbH, Guchen Industry, DENSO, JTAC, Valeo Thermal Commercial Vehicles Germany GmbH, TKT HVAC Co., Ltd., Thermo King, Eberspacher Gruppe GmbH & Co. KG, TransACNR, and Wabco.