BYD launches ETT 44 electric semi-truck for European market

Chinese automaker BYD has launched its ETT 44 electric semi-truck, positioning it as a direct competitor to established European manufacturers and the Tesla Semi in the long-haul freight market. The vehicle was unveiled at the IAA Transportation 2026 show in Hanover, Germany, marking BYD's most significant push into the European commercial vehicle sector. The ETT 44 is a 4x2 tractor unit designed for gross combination weights up to 44 tonnes, which is four tonnes more than the stated capacity of the Tesla Semi. It is powered by a 651 kWh Blade Battery and an 851-volt electrical architecture, delivering a rated output of 743 PS and peak power of up to 1,000 PS. BYD claims a maximum range of approximately 600 kilometers (372 miles) on a full charge. A central feature of the truck is its charging capability. Using BYD's Megawatt Charging System, the ETT 44 can recharge from 20% to 80% in about 20 minutes, adding up to 400 kilometers of range. On a standard CCS2 DC charger, the same charge takes roughly an hour. BYD has rapidly deployed over 10,000 of its 1.5 MW chargers in China and plans to expand this network to Europe. BYD is offering a 10-year or 1.