Tatra Trucks electrifies its first off-road truck

Czech commercial vehicle manufacturer Tatra Trucks has unveiled its first all-electric truck. The Force e-Drive BEV combines a 480 kWh battery with all-wheel drive and up to 550 kW of power. The 8x8 prototype is designed for demanding applications in the construction and mining sectors.

The Tatra Force e-Drive BEV is based on the latest generation of the Force chassis, which features the Czech manufacturer’s signature central tube frame and independently suspended half-shafts. All four axles are driven, with the two front axles engageable as needed. The two rear axles are permanently driven. Additional features include air suspension, as well as axle and inter-axle differentials.

For its electric powertrain, Tatra has partnered with Danfoss to supply a motor that delivers a peak output of 550 kW and a maximum torque of 2,600 Nm. In continuous operation, 360 kW and 2,300 Nm are available. Power is transmitted via an automated four-speed Eaton transmission and an additional Tatra gearbox, which is specifically designed to facilitate operation in challenging terrain. Energy is supplied by twelve traction batteries with a total capacity of 480 kWh. Depending on the application, Tatra states a range of 300 to 400 km. The Force e-Drive BEV itself weighs approximately 22 tonnes and can carry a payload of up to 22 tonnes, with an additional towing capacity of up to 18 tonnes.

With this prototype, Tatra aims to test how a purely battery-electric powertrain performs in a heavy-duty truck on both roads and particularly demanding off-road terrain. The company has so far identified the construction and mining industries as potential areas of application. However, it remains unclear whether the test vehicle will enter series production.

This development comes at a time when electric powertrains are increasingly gaining traction in heavy-duty commercial vehicles. According to a recent analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation, global sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks and buses rose by 86 per cent in 2025, reaching around 520,000 vehicles. China is leading this shift, with 28 per cent of all newly registered heavy-duty trucks being purely electric last year.

For Tatra, this battery-electric tipper truck is just one component of its broader exploration of alternative powertrains. Since 2023, the company has introduced several variants of its e-Drive platform, including a fuel-cell truck with an 8×6 configuration and a plug-in hybrid with 8×8 drive. The latter combines an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with an electric motor and is capable of covering up to 70 km on electric power alone.