Six Chinese entrants expected in European truck market in 2026

At least six Chinese heavy truck manufacturers are due to enter the European truck market in 2026, according to a report from respected news agency Reuters.

Those identified include BYD, Geely Holdings’ subsidiary Farizon, Chinese electric truck market leader Sany, and long-established Sinotruk. They will be joined by start-ups Windrose (with a Tesla Semi look-alike), and SuperPanther.

Windrose has already announced plans to first import and then assemble trucks in Belgium, and has set up a service agreement with independent service network Raskone Oy covering Finland, Sweden and Norway.

The Windrose Global E700 is available in two versions: standard with NCM ternary lithium batteries giving a claimed range of 295 miles, and long-range with lithium iron phosphate batteries delivering a claimed range of 420 miles. Specified kerb weights are 9.8 and 11.9 tonnes respectively.

Of bonneted design and with a 6×4 driveline, it follows North American rather than European traditions, but unlike the Tesla with which it will no doubt be compared, it features a sleeper compartment. Like the Tesla it has a central driving position and a cockpit dominated by display screens. Three 800v electric motors provide a total of 510 kW power, with a peak output of 780 kW.

In contrast, the SuperPanther eTopas 600 could pass as a top-of-the range European truck. Designed specifically for the European market, it will be built from knock-down kits in the old Steyr truck factory in Austria which latterly assembled trucks for MAN. The space became vacant after the failure of the Volta Trucks project.

It is understood that the eTopas 600 will carry dual SuperPanther and Steyr badging, and SuperPanther technology including its twin-motored e-axle and a CATL battery similar to that found in the Daimler Trucks eActros 600, will be offered to third-party manufacturers.

Rated for a total continuous power of 394 kW, the maximum output of its two motors is 692 kW. The 4×2 tractor has a tare weight of 10.8 tonnes, a four-metre wheelbase, and uses LFP battery technology to achieve a range of 310 miles: identical to that claimed for the eActros 600.

It has dual charging sockets which can be used simultaneously, allowing the battery to go from 20 per cent to 80 per cent charge in less than 38 minutes.

SuperPanther’s European operation is headed by former executives from German automotive giant Continental, and key components for the truck come from Conti, ZF, Schaeffler, and Aumovio. Service will be handled by the European Alltrucks network, which has over 700 outlets across Europe.

Sany is an established manufacturer of trucks and construction equipment. Its European offering is a 4×2 tractor with a cab that is slightly reminiscent of the Leyland T45 Interstate of the mid ‘80s.

Tipping the weighbridge at 10.9 tonnes, the e263 has twin motors in its drive axle with a combined continuous output of 420 kW and 730 kW peak.

Range is said to exceed 310 miles from the 636kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.

Service will again be provided by Alltrucks, and Sany already has a European parts distribution network for its construction machines.

Sinotruk can trace its roots back to the 1930s and built its (and China’s) first heavy-duty diesel truck in 1960.

It too has an assembly partnership with Steyr, and uses cabs from Traton subsidiary MAN, which will also provide it with Euro VI engines for diesel trucks.

Selling under the Sitrak brand in Europe, Sinotruk’s first electric offering is a 6×4 tractor with e-axles delivering a maximum of 825 kW power from three 275 kW motors drawing from a 600 kW LFP battery. Range is said to be 236 miles, and there is no word yet on its weight or the arrangements for the European market.

A product of Volvo Cars’ parent Geely, hard technical details of the Farizon Homtruck tractor unit are difficult to access.

Range is said to be 310 miles, with a battery-swapping facility enabling the truck to be on its way in minutes. Alternatively, a methanol range-extender enables the truck to run a claimed 932 miles. Cab spec includes a shower, toilet, and washing machine, and no unladen weight is quoted. Level Four autonomous driving is possible on suitable roads.

BYD already has a substantial presence in Europe with cars and buses, and its first European truck offering will be a two-axle 7.5-tonne rigid, the ETM6. Payload/body allowance is up to four tonnes. The battery has a capacity of 126 kWh, and the range is approximately 124 miles. Production at the BYD bus plant in Hungary is a possibility.

The ETM6 will join current 7.5-tonne offerings from Yutong and JAC/Wrightbus, which were launched last year (Transport Operator 132).

It’s hard to pick winners from the information currently available on the new entrants. The typical duty cycles of 7.5-tonne vehicles are the most favourable for electrification, but the BYD ETM6 faces competition from two other Chinese electric trucks.

On the heavies, European operators will no doubt question the need for a 6×4 driveline for general haulage tasks, which leaves the SuperPanther eTopas 600 and the Sany e263 as likely to provoke most initial interest.

Much depends on pricing: with the exception of the Windrose published performance claims do not differ that widely from those of the European electric trucks, but if four Chinese tractor units can be purchased for the price of three Europeans then they become a proposition that will be hard to ignore.