Maxus delivers big: SAIC’s brand brings an electric 42-ton truck to Europe

Maxus, previously known in Europe only as a manufacturer of trucks and pickups, is significantly expanding its portfolio on the continent: At the IAA Transportation, the Chinese company unveiled a lightweight electric truck for the 7.5-ton class as well as a fully electric 42-ton truck. Additionally, they presented an autonomous RoboVan.

Electric tractor unit Maxus eDeliver 420L

Image: Maxus

With a significant expansion of its portfolio, Maxus is making the strategic shift from its previous focus on traditional trucks such as the eta to fully electric models like the eDeliver 5 and pickups like the eTerron 9, aiming to offer nearly a complete range for logistics companies. As part of the Chinese SAIC group, the brand will now cover almost the entire spectrum in Europe, from urban delivery vehicles to heavy 42-ton electric trucks. The only gap remaining is a medium-heavy electric truck in the 7.5 to 18 ton range.

Maxus eDeliver 420L with 615-kWh Battery

Let’s start with the biggest and most notable new arrival that Maxus has brought to the IAA Transportation (Hall 13, Booth E90) in Hannover: For the first time in Europe, Maxus is introducing a fully electric 42-ton truck. The eDeliver 420L is a tractor unit based on the modular AILink architecture, designed specifically for maximum efficiency in long-haul transportation. An intelligent energy management system with 5-stage regenerative braking significantly reduces energy consumption per ton-kilometer.

The necessary long-distance capability is provided by a 615-kWh high-voltage battery from CATL, which, according to the manufacturer, is designed for an extremely long lifespan of up to 1.5 million kilometers. Maxus has not yet specified the range. With a fast charger, the heavy battery can be charged from 20% to 80% state of charge in just 25 minutes. This charging concept seamlessly fits into the legally required driving and rest times for professional truck drivers. Maxus also sets new standards in terms of workplace safety: the redesigned driver cabin meets the strict crash safety requirements of ECE R29 V3.0 and moves 500 millimeters backward in the event of a collision to provide optimal protection for passengers.

eDeliver 75: Chassis for the 7.5-ton class

Apart from heavy road freight transport, Maxus fills the gap between light electric vans and medium-heavy electric trucks. The Deliver 75, which was introduced in the UK last year before its German debut, marks the company’s entry into the highly competitive 7.5-tonne chassis class for urban delivery and municipal use. Equipped with a 120-kWh battery, this light electric truck achieves a WLTP range of up to 250 kilometers. Its DC fast charging capability of up to 120 kW allows it to go from 20% to 80% charge in about 30 minutes. With a payload capacity of up to 4,590 kilograms and an integrated electric power take-off (ePTO), Maxus provides chassis manufacturers with maximum flexibility for customized industry solutions.

To showcase the future of driverless urban logistics, Maxus also presents its RoboVan capable of operating at Level 4 autonomy. Based on SAIC’s proprietary automation technology, this concept has reportedly covered over 10 million accident-free kilometers in real-world tests. Equipped with three LiDAR sensors and eleven cameras, the transporter navigates urban areas independently and can carry a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms with more than six cubic meters of loading capacity.

Two-way charging and additional services from Maxus

In addition, Maxus demonstrates at its booth the integration of two-way charging solutions (V2X). Through practical pilot projects, electric mobility expert Henk Meiborg shows daily in a live demonstration how commercial electric vehicles can function as active, centralized energy storage systems. By intelligently working together with certified DC smart chargers, fleet operators can manage peak loads in buildings while also actively contributing to stabilizing the public power grid.

Additionally, Maxus presents itself at the trade show in Hannover under the slogan “Maximize your business” as an integrated partner for sustainable logistics. This development is supported by a significant expansion of Germany’s service infrastructure. To meet the growing demands of fleet operators, the service network will grow to 170 locations by the end of 2026. Maxus Germany’s head, Utz Rachner, said, “This strategic move represents a major advancement for the brand in the German market, with a clear goal: to provide customer service, spare parts supply, and support for fleet and dealer partners in the most customer-oriented, fast, and efficient manner possible.”

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