BYD chose the IAA Transportation Show in Hannover to introduce a range of electric LCVs designed specifically for the European market. These include the BYD E-Valli large van for last-mile and parcel delivery services, the EYT 2.0 Yard Tractor, the ETM6 box truck, and the larger ETH8 truck. The BYD E-Vali is a rival to the VW e-Crafter, the Renault Master E-Tech, and a bunch of Stellantis-built large electric vans (Fiat Ducato, Opel Movano, Citroen Jumpy, Peugeot Boxer, Toyota Pro-Ace).
The Chinese LCV is available in two
versions, measuring 5,995 mm and 6,995 mm long respectively.
The payload capacity is between 700-1450 kg and the cargo
volume is between 13.9-17.9 cubic meters, which is enough
for the requirements of last-mile and parcel delivery services. The company
offers the option between RWD and AWD electric powertrains, both combined with
an 80.64 kWh BYD Blade battery. The maximum range varies between 220 -250 km, making it suitable for commercial van fleets.
The exterior of the BYD E-Valli is simple
yet futuristic, with modern LEDs and boxy plastic cladding around the wheel
arches. Inside, equipment includes a digital instrument cluster, a large
infotainment touchscreen, and plenty of ADAS. The weird-looking BYD EYT 2.0 is
a fully electric Yard Tractor, designed for use in ports, airport terminals,
and distribution centers. Its specialized character means you won’t come across
it on public roads, so you can excuse it for looking like the corner of a small
apartment – even after the 2.0 redesign that gave it a cuter face.
A massive 216.7 kWh BYD Blade Battery
allows up to 16 hours of working time. Using a 130 kW DC charger, the battery
can go from 20-80 percent charge in just one hour, minimizing downtime. The
electric powertrain generates up to 349 hp of power, good
enough to handle “substantial containers and trailers”, with a top speed of 40
km/h.
Next up is a more common electric truck
for the 7.5-tonne segment. The BYD ETM6 is designed for
“zero-emission inner city distribution”, featuring a configurable chassis that
measures either 5,940 mm or 7,635 mm long. The
permitted payload figures are 3,710 kg and 3,640 kg respectively. The truck rides on the BYD ePlatform and utilizes a 126
kWh BYD Blade battery pack for a range of up to 200 km with a full
load.
Last but not least, the BYD ETH8 is a 19-tonne truck with a focus on logistics and sanitation services. Its
configurable platform offers two wheelbase options, at 7,930 mm or 10,270 mm. The electric powertrain has a maximum power output
of 241 hp, and the top speed being limited to 90 km/h. Finally, the LiFePO4 battery has a capacity of 255 kWh, offering a
real-life range of around 250 km between charges, and a 20-100
percent charging time of 2 hours.
It remains to be seen if the new and
updated offerings will help BYD increase its presence in the highly competitive
European LCV market.
