BYD’s EV Truck Provides Zero Emissions, Whisper Quiet Deliveries

BYD highlighted its ETM6 electric truck at IAA 2024 and in more than 10 other European countries. It’s built on the company’s eTruck platform and designed to function with zero-emissions for inner-city distribution services.

The company says the technology that underpins the ETM6 has a proven record of accomplishment for reliability due to its faultless operation in the European market for the past three years. A testament to its robustness is the company’s accumulated mileage of more than a million kilometers with its ETM6 fleet. It also recorded a significant reduction in the total cost of ownership during this time.

Despite the modern “electrified” aesthetics, the ETM6 resembles traditional trucks, which should allow it to fit in well with many distribution fleets. Designed in-house by BYD’s Design Director and a well-known European designer, Wolfgang Egger, the truck has been sculpted to the company’s design philosophy.

It has a subtly rounded front fascia, angel eye headlights, and streamlined contours for an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The doors have concealed handles to reduce air-resistance, and its wheelbase has been designed to accommodate better maneuverability, which should prove useful in urban environments.

Inside the cabin, the interior features a modern look with space for up to 3 people. There are ergonomic seats for better comfort on long drives and ample storage compartments for occupants. The truck also has a 10.1-inch smart touchpad that provides vehicle information and media controls.

BYD says that the chassis is highly configurable to suit various applications. It also has a compact 5-in-1 controller that optimizes performance and efficiency, which translates to lower maintenance requirements and costs. The company produced the powertrain systems, batteries, motors, controller systems and other electronic components.

There are two versions of the ETM6, a shorter 5,940mm one and a longer 7,635mm eTruck. The former has a kerb weight of 3,780kg, payload of 3,710kg and a wheelbase of 3,360mm. The latter has a kerb weight of 3,850kg, payload of 3,640kg and wheelbase of 4,200mm.

Both trucks have a 150kW motor that allows them to reach a maximum speed of 90km/h and cover a range of 200 km on a full charge from their 126kWh battery pack. BYD says they can travel up a maximum 30% steep slope, which is good for an electric truck.

This battery pack consists of lithium iron-phosphate cells, which are 100% cobalt free. It is compatible with 120kW DC fast charging and as such, can be charged from 20% to 100% in just an hour. Despite the low range, the eTrucks can travel about anywhere and at any time due to its emission-free, whisper quiet mode of operation.

BYD has also equipped the ETM6 with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance) including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Adaptive Cruise Control and Advanced Emergency Braking. Other noteworthy features are electric parking brake, electric power steering, multi-function steering wheel, an 8 inch info screen.