Chinese electric truck went on a test drive from Melbourne to Sydney

A Chinese long-haul electric truck made a test run along the Hume Highway from Melbourne to Sydney over the weekend, where its manufacturer claims to have broken a record.

Windrose Technologies is an electric long-haul truck startup that plans to soon begin commercial production of its flagship model, which has been road tested in China, Europe, the United States of America and now Australia.

Windrose claims its electric long-haul truck can travel 670 kilometers with a load of up to 49 tons, equipped with a 729 kWh battery and an 800 V dual-input high-voltage charging platform capable of charging at megawatt levels.

The truck has been granted special permission to travel on Australian roads.

The truck appeared at the All Energy Australia conference in Melbourne on October 23 and 24, before heading to Sydney on Sunday for another round of demonstrations.

Last weekend’s 501kWh charging session at the Evie Networks charging station in Sutton Forrest in New South Wales could set a record in Australia, according to Windrose head of strategic partnerships Charles Yu.

He shared a photo on LinkedIn showing the truck’s battery took two and a half hours to charge to 97 percent, which he believes could be a record.

To coincide with the truck’s unveiling at All Energy Australia, Windrose Technology founder, chairman and CEO Wen Han revealed that Windrose Technology and Mondo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to work together in the Australian market to accelerate the adoption of long-haul and heavy-duty electric trucks.

“Windrose’s revolutionary electric truck with a 670km range and Mondo’s expertise as an experienced provider of large-scale charging infrastructure means our work together is complementary and symbiotic,” said Khan.

Also commenting on the memorandum of understanding, Mondo’s head of new energy markets, Gavin Lewis, said: “Australian commercial vehicle transport and logistics operators are mutual customers of Windrose and Mondo. We believe we will create real and sustainable value by working together to engage the market.”

Mondo said the Windrose truck was also successfully test-charged using a 480kW Sinexcel charging system powered by Go EV at Mondo’s Yarraville site ahead of its All Energy Australia conference appearance.

After testing its trucks around the world, the brand begins commercial production.

Windrose says it is “in mass production readiness” and is set to begin production of its flagship electric trucks in China, which will be “delivered to key customers” before the end of the year.

The company also announced that it will build its European base in Antwerp, Belgium, along with a “research, development and industrialization center” that will be used to ensure trucks meet European market standards.

Windrose also announced last week that it would move its corporate structure to Europe, with its headquarters in Belgium.