SAIC brand brings 42-tonne electric truck to Europe
Maxus, so far known in Europe only as a provider of vans and pick-ups, is significantly expanding its portfolio on the continent. At the IAA Transportation in Hanover, the Chinese manufacturer is showcasing a light electric truck for the 7.5-tonne class as well as a fully electric 42-tonne truck, as well as an autonomous RoboVan.
Electric tractor unit Maxus eDeliver 420L
Image: Maxus
Maxus is expanding its portfolio with a strategic step beyond its previous focus on classic transporters such as the all-electric eDeliver 5and pick-ups like the eTerron 9 towards an almost complete range of larger electric vehicles for logistics companies. The brand, part of China’s SAIC Group, will thus cover nearly the entire spectrum in Europe, from large urban delivery vehicles to heavy-duty 42-tonne electric trucks. The remaining gap in large delivery vehicles is a medium-duty electric truck in the 7.5- to 18-tonne class.
Maxus eDeliver 420L with 615-kWh battery
Maxus is celebrating the European premiere of its first all-electric 42-tonne truck – the biggest and heaviest new addition that Maxus has brought to IAA Transportation (Hall 13, Stand E90) in Hanover. The eDeliver 420L is a tractor unit based on the modular AILink architecture and is designed for maximum efficiency in long-haul transport. Intelligent energy management with five-stage regeneration significantly optimises energy consumption per tonne-kilometre.
A 615-kWh high-voltage battery from CATL ensures the necessary long-distance capability, with the manufacturer stating it is designed for an extremely high service life of up to 1.5 million kilometres. Maxus has not yet provided a range figure. At a fast charger, the heavy battery can be recharged from 20 to 80 per cent state of charge (SoC) in just 25 minutes. This charging concept seamlessly integrates with the legally prescribed driving and rest periods for professional drivers. Maxus is also setting new standards in occupational safety by ensuring that the newly designed driver’s cab meets the strict crash safety requirements of ECE R29 V3.0. In a collision, the driver’s cab also shifts backwards by 500 millimetres to optimally protect occupants.
eDeliver 75: Chassis for the 7.5-Tonne Class
In addition to heavy road freight transport, Maxus is closing the gap between light electric transporters and medium-duty electric trucks. The German premiere of the eDeliver 75, introduced in the UK last year, marks the brand’s entry into the hotly contested 7.5-tonne chassis class for urban distribution and municipal use. Equipped with a 120-kWh battery, the light electric truck achieves a WLTP range of up to 250 kilometres. The DC fast-charging capability of up to 120 kW enables recharging from 20 to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes. With a chassis payload of up to 4,590 kilograms and an integrated electric power take-off (ePTO), Maxus offers bodybuilders maximum flexibility for tailored industry solutions.
For the future of driverless city logistics, Maxus is also showcasing the RoboVan, which operates autonomously at Level 4. Based on SAIC’s proprietary automation technology, the company says its concept has already completed over 10 million accident-free kilometres in real-world trials. Equipped with three LiDAR sensors and eleven cameras, the transporter navigates independently through urban areas with a payload of up to 1,500 kilograms and over six cubic metres of cargo volume.
Bidirectional charging and expanded service from Maxus
As most automotive companies are future-proofing their vehicles, Maxus is also demonstrating the integration of bidirectional charging solutions (V2X) at its trade fair stand. Electric mobility expert Henk Meiborg presents practical pilot projects with daily live demonstrations on how commercial electric vehicles can act as active, aggregated energy storage systems. Through intelligent interaction with certified DC smart chargers, fleet operators can absorb peak loads in buildings while actively contributing to the stabilisation of the public power grid.
Maxus is also presenting itself at the industry trade fair in Hanover under the motto of “Maximise your business” as an integrated partner for sustainable logistics. This evolution is supported by the massive expansion of its German service infrastructure. To meet the growing demands of fleet operators, the service network will expand to a total of 170 locations by the end of 2026. Maxus Germany CEO Utz Rachner: “This strategic step represents a significant advancement for the brand in the German market and pursues a clear goal: to make customer service, spare parts supply, and support for fleet and dealer partners as customer-oriented, fast, and efficient as possible.”
_Source: per email_