Chinese electric trucks could undercut European rivals by 30%

Chinese electric truck manufacturers are preparing a broader push into Europe’s heavy truck market in 2026, increasing pressure on established brands at a time when zero-emission truck uptake in the EU remains slow. According to Reuters, more than a dozen Chinese manufacturers are planning to sell heavy trucks in Europe this year, including BYD, Geely-owned Farizon, Sany, Sinotruk, Windrose and SuperPanther.

The immediate concern for Europe’s incumbent manufacturers is price. Reuters reports that the new entrants aim to sell their electric trucks at prices of up to 30% below the current European average of €320,000. Their advantage comes from scale in China, where zero-emission heavy-duty trucks account for 29% of sales, as well as from lower-cost battery and EV supply chains. Reuters adds that electric freight trucks made up 4.2% of overall truck sales in the EU in 2025, up from 2.3% in 2024, but their growth has been slowed by prices that remain far above those of diesel vehicles.

That combination is causing growing concern among European truck makers. Reuters reports that industry groups are pressing the European Commission for measures to accelerate demand for zero-emission trucks, while manufacturers themselves are openly acknowledging the competitive threat. Volvo Group CEO Martin Lundstedt told Reuters that the Chinese rivals are “speedy, innovative, decisive and committed”, while Scania CEO Christian Levin said European manufacturers need to learn from the speed at which Chinese firms scale innovation into industrial production.

For hauliers, however, the key question is not only whether these brands can enter Europe, but whether they can offer a credible long-term operating proposition. In the truck sector, a lower purchase price matters, but so do range, charging performance, servicing, parts supply, warranty support and production localisation. Several of the Chinese brands named by Reuters are already trying to answer those questions.

Windrose: the brand drawing the most attention

Among the names listed by Reuters, Windrose currently stands out most clearly as a direct long-haul challenger. Reuters reports that its Global E700 electric truck is due to go on sale in Europe this year at around €250,000, well below the average electric truck price cited in the article.

The vehicle offers a claimed range of 670 km and a charging time of 35 minutes, and its centre-seat cab design allows the same basic truck architecture to be used in both left- and right-hand-drive markets. Reuters also notes that Belgian logistics company Gilbert de Clercq is awaiting delivery of one.

Sany: long-haul ambitions backed by a service strategy

Sany is also worth close attention because its European offer appears to be built around both product and support. The Chinese manufacturer plans first European deliveries of its e263 4×2 electric tractor in early 2026, with a claimed range of more than 500 km. The same report says Sany is working with Putzmeister for customer support and with Alltrucks for maintenance, diagnostics and repairs across Europe.

SuperPanther: local assembly and first deliveries in sight

SuperPanther’s European plans also appear more advanced than its low public profile might suggest. Reuters says the company has signed up with Alltrucks for service support, while a Trans.info report from July 2025 said Steyr Automotive in Austria would manufacture SuperPanther trucks for the European market. More recently, industry reporting said series production is scheduled to start this summer, with the company targeting 100 to 200 customer vehicles in Europe by the end of 2026.

Sinotruk: local production has started, but questions remain

Sinotruk is taking a similar localisation route, though with fewer public technical details so far. Reuters names the company among the Chinese brands targeting Europe in 2026, and Trans.info reported on 6 March that Steyr Automotive has already started contract manufacturing Sinotruk trucks in Austria. According to that report, the agreement covers both diesel and fully electric trucks for the EMEA region, with production beginning through SKD assembly and potentially expanding later to CKD production including cab manufacturing and painting.

BYD: less visible on truck detail, stronger on industrial footprint

BYD is different from the other names in one important respect: it already has a substantial industrial base in Europe through buses and wider EV operations. Reuters reports that BYD plans to make its trucks at its bus factory in Hungary, giving it a stronger local manufacturing footprint than most of the Chinese brands mentioned in the article.

Farizon: included in the Reuters list, but Europe’s heavy-truck picture is still thinner

Farizon is also named by Reuters among the Chinese brands preparing European heavy truck sales in 2026. However, compared with Windrose, Sany or SuperPanther, the public picture of its heavy-duty strategy in Europe still appears less detailed.