Tatra Trucks is electrifying its first off-road truck
The 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 tasks in the construction and mining sectors.
The Tatra Force e-Drive BEV is based on the latest generation of the Force chassis, featuring the central tube frame typical of the Czech manufacturer along with individually suspended half-axles. All four axles are powered, with the two front axles able to be engaged as needed. The two rear axles are intended to remain continuously driven. It also includes air suspension as well as axle and inter-axle differentials.
According to media reports, Tatra relies on a Danfoss motor for electric propulsion, with a peak power output of 550 kW and a maximum torque of 2,600 Nm. For continuous operation, it provides 360 kW and 2,300 Nm. As per the manufacturer, power transmission is handled by an automated four-speed gearbox from Eaton, along with an additional Tatra gearbox designed specifically to enable use in difficult terrain. The vehicle is powered by twelve traction batteries with a combined capacity of 480 kWh. Tatra claims a range of 300 to 400 kilometers depending on usage conditions. The Force e-Drive BEV weighs around 22 tons itself and can carry a payload of up to 22 tons. Additionally, it can pull a trailer weighing up to 18 tons.
Tatra plans to use this prototype to test how a purely battery-powered drive system performs in a heavy truck designed for use on roads as well as in extremely difficult terrains. The company cites the construction and mining industries as potential areas of application. It remains unclear whether and when this experimental model will be turned into a production version.
This move comes at a time when electric drives are increasingly being adopted in heavy commercial vehicles. According to a recent report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), global sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks and buses rose by 86 percent in 2025 to around 520,000 units. China is particularly advanced in this area; last year, 28 percent of all newly registered heavy trucks there were fully electric.
For Tatra, this battery-electric dump truck is just another component in the testing of alternative powertrains. Since 2023, the company has introduced several variants of its e-Drive platform. These include a fuel cell truck with an 8×6 configuration as well as a plug-in hybrid with an 8×8 drive system. The latter combines an eight-cylinder internal combustion engine with an electric motor and is capable of traveling up to 70 kilometers purely on electricity.