BYD announced during the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover its intention to launch its first electric truck in Europe by the end of 2027. This was stated by Stella Li, executive vice president and head of international operations of the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer. According to Reuters, the company is also aiming for a long-term strategic goal. And that is to produce all the vehicles locally that it will sell in the European market, turning its commercial presence into a true industrial operation on the territory.
BYD prepares the first electric truck
Outlining the strategy for the heavy vehicle sector, Li explained that the company wants to offer fleet operators a complete service package. Among the planned elements are financial solutions, charging infrastructure powered by solar energy, and a network of workshops supported by a mobile roadside assistance service. The idea is to make the adoption of battery trucks easier, addressing not only the vehicle itself but also the daily management, maintenance, and the energy needed for operation.
A way to curb tariffs
Local production is presented as a tool to reduce the impact of import tariffs on this type of vehicle. Li also commented on the requests from European manufacturers, such as MAN, part of the Traton group, to apply tariffs on Chinese electric trucks similar to those already in place for other electric vehicles. “We do not appreciate these tariffs,” she said. And she explained that they bring no benefits, with BYD still having to deal with this situation. According to the same executive, this would be a temporary pressure destined to decrease with the large-scale start of local production.
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