Windrose Global E700 tractor begins UK tour at Tilbury

The first Windrose Global E700 tractor unit has arrived in the UK, and is undergoing a nationwide tour of logistics sites and truck charging locations to demonstrate how long-range electric trucks can operate on UK routes using high-power infrastructure. Its first stop was the Fleete charging facility at Tilbury.

With a battery capacity of more than 700kWh, the Global E700 uses a flexible four battery pack configuration designed for demanding freight duty cycles. Originating in China, but to be assembled in Belgium for the European market, the 6×4 Global E700 features a futuristic aerodynamic sloped front design and a central driving position reminiscent of the long-awaited Tesla Semi.

The truck is both Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and CCS2-ready as standard, ensuring compatibility with high-power charging networks such as Fleete Tilbury. The 5MW site, capable of charging 16 electric trucks simultaneously, includes six Siemens Flex 540kW chargers and 12 Flex 500A dispensers across three charging islands. Each island can be upgraded to support Megawatt Charging System (MCS) capability.

The hub also includes four charging points powered by Power Electronics, featuring two NB cooled dispensers and one NB Station system, delivering up to 270kW per charging point, with upgrade capacity to 360kW.

Justin Yu, head of Northern Europe at Windrose Technology, said: “Completing our first charge in the UK at Fleete’s Port of Tilbury hub is an important milestone for Windrose and a fitting place to begin the truck’s UK tour.

“Our aim is to demonstrate how the next generation of electric heavy trucks can work with high-power charging infrastructure across the UK, and the ultra-rapid capability here at Tilbury is exactly the kind of quality charging network operators will need. Shared charging hubs like this, with multiple ultra-rapid chargers in a strategic freight location, will play a key role in helping more fleets make the transition to electric vehicles.”

Chris Morrison, CEO at Fleete, said the arrival of the Windrose truck in the UK highlighted the growing need for high-capacity infrastructure for eHGVs: “Hosting the first UK charge for the Windrose truck is a strong demonstration of what high-power infrastructure for heavy vehicles can deliver. Vehicles with battery capacity of this scale need high power infrastructure that can deliver energy quickly and reliably. Shared charging hubs like Fleete Tilbury are designed to provide exactly that as more fleets begin deploying electric trucks on longer routes.”

Fleete’s shared-user model is designed to give fleet operators access to reliable, high power charging infrastructure without the need to install dedicated facilities, addressing common barriers to electrification including grid capacity, land constraints and upfront infrastructure costs. The site has been designed to accommodate additional fleet operators as demand grows.