Key points at a glance
- SuperPanther has launched series production of the eTopas 600 at Steyr Automotive.
- The first trucks are being delivered to customers including DHL, GRESS, TEMMEL and LONTEX.
- According to the company, the electric truck delivers around 600 kilometres of real-world range.
- For maintenance and repairs, SuperPanther is working with the Alltrucks workshop network.
Built in Austria using Chinese and European technology
With production under way at Steyr Automotive, SuperPanther is moving from pilot deployments to series manufacturing for the European market. The company says the first series-built 4×2 electric tractor unit of the eTopas 600 rolled off the line in late July.
Final assembly, commissioning and quality checks take place in Steyr. SuperPanther supplies key systems including the electric drive axle, power electronics and thermal management. Other components come from European suppliers including ZF, Schaeffler, Aumovio, Infineon, Michelin, Continental, Goodyear and Castrol.
First customer trucks enter regular operations
Alongside the start of series production, SuperPanther has delivered the first customer vehicles. The initial handovers include logistics provider DHL, German transport and logistics company GRESS, Austrian retail group TEMMEL, and commercial vehicle service provider LONTEX, which operates in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Delivery ceremony for the first SuperPanther eTopas 600 customers: DHL, GRESS, TEMMEL and LONTEX (Source: SuperPanther)
According to the manufacturer, the trucks will be deployed in regular operations across Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and the Czech Republic.
Designed for long-haul work
The eTopas 600 is rated for a gross combination weight of up to 42 tonnes and uses a 621 kWh LFP battery from CATL.
SuperPanther says its test fleet has covered more than 70,000 kilometres in real-world operations in Germany and Austria since March. Average energy consumption during that period was around 0.94 kWh per kilometre. Under typical European operating conditions, the company puts the truck’s range at roughly 600 kilometres.
Charging is via CCS2 connectors on both sides of the vehicle. With two compatible fast-charging points, SuperPanther says the battery can be charged from 20% to 80% in under 38 minutes.
The eTopas 600 operating in Europe. (Source: SuperPanther)
Service and repairs handled via Alltrucks
For maintenance and repairs, SuperPanther is partnering with the independent Alltrucks workshop network, which also provides 24-hour roadside assistance. In parallel, the company says it is building its own capabilities for spare parts logistics, remote diagnostics and software updates.
Chinese truck makers continue to expand across Europe
The start of series production in Steyr reflects a broader shift in Europe’s commercial vehicle market. Alongside SuperPanther, Chinese manufacturers such as Sinotruk, Windrose, Sany, BYD and Farizon are also expanding their presence in Europe.
Many of these players are relying on local assembly, European suppliers and the build-out of their own sales and service organisations, aiming to secure a foothold in the fast-growing market for battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles.
The rising competitive pressure is also on the radar of European manufacturers. In June, Scania CEO Christian Levin said Europe needs to industrialise new technologies much faster and could learn from China’s pace — or risk losing further competitiveness in the commercial vehicle sector.
