In the field of new energy heavy-duty trucks in China, new car companies that adhere to the concept of forward design are gradually emerging with electrification and intelligent innovation technologies, changing the heavy-duty truck industry landscape.
Especially in the case of Tesla Semi-delayed delivery, new heavy-duty truck brands such as DeepWay, Zeron, and Hybot have continuously reduced comprehensive operating costs and improved vehicle performance through independent research and development and highly integrated systems.
The electrification and intelligent innovation brought about by forward research and development can fundamentally save power consumption and improve vehicle safety. The following is a label about the “intelligence” of new energy heavy-duty trucks sorted out based on the player inventory, which is also the main direction of the current forward research and development players.
Electric Drive Systems
Electric drive systems tend to use multiple motors and direct drive technology to improve transmission efficiency and reduce energy loss. The industry usually adopts self-developed or professional supplier cooperation strategies to optimize these systems.
For example, the mass-produced version of DeepWay uses an electric drive axle with direct drive wheels. The motor power of the whole vehicle reaches 492kW, which greatly enhances the climbing ability and shows the advantages of high transmission efficiency and power output.
As well as the design concept of Tesla Semi, it is equipped with four independent motors to support its powerful power and stability under different driving conditions, reflecting the advanced electric drive system design.
Thermal Management Systems
The thermal management system uses a multi-step control strategy to ensure that the battery and motor operate at appropriate temperatures, improving performance and extending the life of key components.
The Hepper H49 uses a thermal management integration that can reduce power consumption by 20%. The Speed Leopard Black King Kong is said to be able to maintain good performance at low temperatures of -30°C, while DeepWay uses an independent thermal management system to manage the electric drive, battery and air conditioning respectively.
Energy Recovery Systems
Brake energy recovery systems are becoming more and more popular to improve vehicle efficiency and range. The industry is moving towards improving the recovery efficiency of these systems and better integrating them into vehicle energy management.
V2X Technology
It enables heavy trucks to communicate with the Internet and other vehicles, enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of vehicles. Through real-time data exchange, operators can optimize fleet management and maintenance. Both DeepWay and Weidu WH11 claim that the Internet of Vehicles system can process more than 4,000 vehicle signals. In addition, DeepWay is also equipped with a domain controller and centralized computing platform that are only available in mass-produced passenger cars.
Intelligent Driving
It includes functions ranging from L2 assisted driving to L4 autonomous driving. These technologies improve driving safety and efficiency through enhanced auxiliary systems such as adaptive cruise control and automatic lane change. The industry has accumulated more than one million kilometers of autonomous driving tests, but despite positive technological progress, there are still many challenges in large-scale implementation, such as insufficient safety regulations and policy restrictions.
L2 level intelligent driving
- Technical functions: including automatic collision avoidance (AEB), adaptive cruise control (ACC), integrated high-speed intelligent cruise control (ICA), automatic lane change, etc.
- Operation optimization: The intelligent system can automatically adapt to different road conditions, improve driving efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
- Implementation: Although the number of mass-produced models is limited, the effectiveness of these technologies has been verified and is being gradually promoted.
L4 autonomous driving
- Technological progress: L4 models in the industry have been tested and verified in complex real road scenarios, showing high maturity and application potential.
- Test verification: Road tests covering multiple traffic lights and complex traffic flows have verified its reliability in complex environments.
- Key technologies: L4 autonomous driving technology can handle complex traffic conditions without human intervention, providing safe and effective transportation solutions.
In the development of L4 autonomous driving technology for commercial vehicles, there are two main directions:
- “Two minus one” mode: This mode is mainly used in long-distance trunk transportation. Due to long-term operation requirements, two drivers are usually required to drive alternately. “Two minus one” means reducing one driver and using only one driver to complete the tasks that originally required two people. This is mainly achieved by reducing driver fatigue and is suitable for traditional fuel vehicles, but the degree of commercialization is difficult to achieve in the short term.
- Formation transportation: This is an emerging mode in which a driver drives a pilot vehicle to lead a self-driving formation of multiple L4-level trucks, reducing labor costs by increasing the size of the fleet. Electric heavy trucks usually have a short range and are mostly used in medium and short-distance transportation, making the “two minus one” mode less applicable. Formation transportation is very effective in large-scale freight transportation on fixed routes. The driver of the front vehicle can handle complex situations, effectively reducing operating costs and technical difficulties.
In contrast, fuel vehicles are suitable for long-distance transportation due to their long battery life, and the “two minus one” mode is often used; electric vehicles are more suitable for medium and short distances due to their short battery life, and are more inclined to adopt convoy transportation. At present, Carl Power, a heavy-duty truck company under Didi, has carried out regular operations of L4 autonomous driving freight convoy technology on many routes in Xinjiang. DeepWay also officially announced that it will start commercial operations of L4 convoys next year. It can be seen that from the perspective of the degree of commercial operation, convoy transportation is easier to quickly realize large-scale commercialization of L4 technology than “two minus one”. From the perspective of players, they can be divided into three factions.
Leading Players – Positive R&D
Companies in this group have completed the positive research and development of intelligent new energy heavy-duty trucks, among which DeepWay has started mass delivery to the market first, and other players are also in the testing and initial delivery stages. These companies usually have relatively mature intelligent product technologies and are exploring the market
Defensive Player – Oil to Electric Modification Upgrade
This faction includes those companies that originally produced traditional fuel heavy trucks, which are currently undergoing technological transformation, converting existing fuel vehicles into electric vehicles or upgrading them by introducing new energy technologies.
Leading player
DeepWay
Intelligent representative models
- Name: DeepWay · Deep to Star
- Release Year: 2021
- Manufacturing: OEM by JAC, using Baidu technology, similar manufacturing model to NIO
- Delivery Status: The first new heavy-duty truck brand verified by the market, the first to achieve mass delivery, the commercialization scale and delivery volume are leading the new heavy-duty truck models. According to the compulsory traffic insurance data, it has sold more than 1,500 vehicles in total. More than 90% of JAC’s new energy heavy-duty trucks come from OEM by DeepWay.
Technology and Performance
- Electric drive axle: The electric drive axle with direct drive wheels improves the transmission efficiency by 14% and reduces energy loss. The motor power of the whole vehicle reaches 492kW, and the wheel torque is 39000N, which greatly enhances the climbing ability.
- Battery system: Using CATL’s 513kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, the density is increased by 35%. The world’s first to adopt the bottom battery replacement mode, enhance vehicle safety and increase the cargo box volume ratio by 9.6%.
- Thermal management system: It is divided into three independent systems: electric drive, battery and air conditioning, to ensure stable operation at high temperatures of 38℃ or low temperatures of -30℃. In the low temperature environment in winter, the cold zone version is adopted, and the energy consumption is reduced by 30%-40% through a variety of thermal management configurations.
- Internet of Vehicles System: More than 4,000 vehicle signals are processed in a graded manner to optimize fault pre-identification and maintenance, and improve operational efficiency and safety.
- Assisted driving: L2 assisted driving function vehicles have been the first to achieve mass production, including active collision avoidance and adaptive cruise. The L4 level has been tested and verified in real road complex scenarios, with a total distance of 6.7km, passing through 10 traffic lights and 5 major intersections.
- L4 platooning technology: expected to be commercialized next year
Operational data
- Cumulative delivery volume: more than 1,500 units, from Xinjiang in the north to Guangdong in the south. It is currently the first intelligent heavy-duty truck model delivered in large quantities in China
- Operational mileage: As of July 2024, the cumulative mileage has exceeded 36 million kilometers
Zeron Auto
Representative intelligent models
- Name: Jingzhe
- Release Year: May 2024
- Manufactured by: JIC United Heavy Industries
- Delivery Status: Specific delivery data is not disclosed. Currently, most of the models delivered are non-intelligent models “Xiaoman”.
Technology and Performance
- Electric drive axle: Dual electric drive axle design, up to 857 horsepower.
- Battery system: BYD Fudi blade battery, battery capacity optional 385 kWh and 450 kWh, support 650A three-gun DC fast charging, charging time 20%-80% ≤35 minutes.
- Thermal management system: Adopt commercial vehicle heat pump thermal management technology, use “three-source heat pump” technology to optimize energy efficiency.
- Assisted driving: EBS, ESC, LDWS, FCWS, EPB and other basic functions are standard.
Configuration and other technical details
- Configuration: multi-function steering wheel, full LCD instrument panel, hand-held gear, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, etc.
- Seat design: It adopts aviation airbag shock-absorbing seats, supports ventilation, heating and multiple adjustment functions.
- Light group: It adopts a dot matrix arrangement design of 314 LED bulbs, with high-performance lighting capabilities.
“Xiaoman” is an economic version designed by Zero One Automobile for short-distance transportation needs. It is manufactured by Hubei Sanhuan Automobile. It emphasizes cost-effectiveness and is not equipped with intelligent functions, so it is not included here. This model mainly serves medium and short-distance transportation scenarios such as ports and sand and gravel. Small batch deliveries have been started, and various technologies need to be further tested by the market.
Hepper
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Hepper H49 hydrogen heavy truck
- Release year: December 12, 2023
- Manufacturing: Focus on the forward development of hydrogen heavy trucks
- Delivery status: Small batch delivery is expected to start in the second half of 2024, and formal mass production and listing will begin in 2025.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive axle: Adopt 800V high-voltage system integration and distributed drive to improve transmission efficiency to 94% and enhance power output.
- Battery system: Fuel cell system, comprehensive efficiency increased by 20%, achieving 92% conversion efficiency from electrical energy to mechanical energy.
- Cruise range: The design goal is a gaseous hydrogen range of more than 1,000 km, and a hydrogen consumption of only 8 kg per 100 kilometers.
- Thermal management system: Adopt thermal management integration that can reduce power consumption by 20%, improve energy efficiency and cruising range.
- Vehicle networking system: Adopt cross-domain integrated SOA architecture, support hardware pre-embedded soft and hard decoupling, non-sensing OTA upgrade, remote diagnosis and cloud maintenance.
- Assisted driving: According to the official, it supports L4 intelligent driving, with high-speed automatic driving, automatic lane change, platoon driving and other high-level intelligent driving functions.
- Platoon driving technology: Integrate advanced intelligent driving functions to achieve efficient and safe platoon driving.
Comfort and additional functions
- Cockpit design: Wraparound technology cockpit, equipped with large-size high-definition LCD instrument, central control intelligent large screen and electronic rear-view mirror.
- Seats and comfort: Zero-gravity seat for the co-pilot, with extra-long slide rails and multi-angle adjustment, suitable for following the car, dining, resting and other scenes.
- Special facilities: Shower room developed using hot water generated by fuel cell reaction.
Speed Leopard
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Speed Leopard Black King Kong
- Release year: April 13, 2024
- Manufacturing: Designed for bulk logistics, focusing on power performance and energy efficiency.
- Delivery status: It is currently in the testing phase and has not yet started delivery.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive axle: Full-stack self-developed through-type electric drive axle, equipped with a three-motor dual-bridge architecture with time-sharing drive and kinetic energy recovery.
- Battery system: CATL’s new generation of heavy-duty truck lithium iron phosphate battery, 414kWh capacity, 300km range.
- Charging system: Quasi-900V silicon carbide high-voltage platform, supports Speed Leopard Super Charging Pile and Teladian 1000V universal charging pile, the fastest charging time can reach 16 minutes.
- Vehicle durability and safety: Equipped with leaf spring suspension and sturdy body, the electric drive axle design optimizes impact resistance; the bottom-mounted battery design reduces the center of mass of the vehicle, increases collision safety space, and improves rollover resistance.
- Thermal management system: Integrated design ensures low energy consumption in extreme climates, especially good performance at low temperatures of -30°C.
- Internet of Vehicles system: Car-cloud integrated digital chassis, supports data closed loop and energy-saving algorithms, and realizes software adaptation and iteration.
- Comfort: Equipped with a four-airbag suspension system and airbag shock-absorbing seats, the cab design focuses on noise reduction and shock absorption, providing a low-noise business-class working environment.
Operational data
Test results: The first coal transportation line test achieved a reduction in the comprehensive energy consumption of 100 kilometers empty and fully loaded to 118kW.h.
Weidu Technology
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Weidu WH11
- Release year: April 23, 2024
- Manufacture: Pure electric tractor designed for long-distance logistics.
- Delivery status: Mass production is planned for 2024, and shareholder Rongqing Logistics has booked 200 units. According to the founder, the domestic price of the vehicle is 580,000 yuan excluding batteries, which is much higher than other new energy heavy truck models. In the logistics industry where cost and economy are king, as a production tool, whether such a high price can be accepted by the market remains to be tested by the market.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive axle: The core components of the electric drive axle are self-developed, and more self-developed technologies are expected to be reflected in the next generation of products.
- Battery system: 1165kWh battery, 800km range. Using Zhongxinhang, Yiwei Lithium Battery and Guoxuan High-tech lithium iron phosphate batteries, the battery cycle life may not fully meet the full life requirements of commercial vehicles.
- Charging and battery replacement method: Charging is supported, and the 960kW megawatt-class fast charging station developed in cooperation with Goodman Group and BorgWarner will be put into operation.
- Power performance: Up to four hairpin-type flat wire liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motors can be equipped, with a maximum power of 1040kW, a continuous power of 680kW, and a maximum speed of 120km/h.
- Internet of Vehicles System: The cockpit and the domain control related to the Internet are highly integrated, providing high-end functions such as HUD.
- Assisted driving: Provided by Zhijia Technology, the current landing is L2 level, and the goal is L4 level autonomous driving.
- Suspension system: Front independent suspension and 10 air airbags are configured, combined with EPS steering system to improve comfort and controllability.
- Cockpit design: high-end passenger car interior, wraparound cockpit design, high human-machine interaction, full and practical functions, such as CMS, 360-degree view, reversing image, DMS, radio, etc.
- Aerodynamic performance: A series of tests were completed at the wind tunnel center of the domestic authoritative testing institution. The drag coefficient was officially announced to be 0.2755, setting a new record for commercial vehicles and comparable to some pure electric SUV.
Zaihe Truck
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Zaihe Z1 pure electric semi-trailer traction heavy truck
- Release year: Although no official launch conference was held, the Z1 pure electric semi-trailer traction heavy truck was announced on August 17, 2023.
- Delivery status: The first batch of orders began to be delivered on September 22, 2023.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive system: Adopts the industry-mature Green Control/Tebajia electric drive system with a maximum power of 420kW, providing strong power and high efficiency.
- Battery system: Uses EVE lithium-ion batteries with a total power of 423kWh and a PACK energy density of more than 155Wh/kg.
- Thermal management system: The self-developed VCU (vehicle control unit) optimizes the energy management strategy of the motor and battery, including an efficient energy recovery system, which improves energy efficiency by 20%.
- Internet of Vehicles System: Equipped with fixed route maps and advanced Internet of Vehicles technology to accurately reduce energy consumption.
- Assisted driving: The vehicle is equipped with 360AVM panoramic imaging and dual warning systems to enhance driving safety.
- Comfort and reliability: The interior is more sedan-like, with low noise levels and standard AMT (automatic mechanical transmission), which improves the convenience of driving operations and overall driving comfort.
Tesla
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Tesla Semi
- Release year: Tesla Semi debuted in 2017 and is scheduled to reach mass production in 2024.
- Delivery status: The company plans to produce 50,000 Semis in 2024.
Technology and Performance
- Electric drive axle: equipped with four independent motors to support its powerful power and stability under different driving conditions.
- Battery system: with two range options, 300 miles and 500 miles, the battery capacity varies depending on the configuration, up to 1000kwh battery.
- Thermal management system: an efficient thermal management system to keep the battery and motor at the optimal operating temperature.
- Internet of Vehicles System: integrates advanced driver assistance system and Internet of Vehicles functions to achieve software updates and remote diagnosis.
- Assisted driving: equipped with Autopilot system, with multiple active safety features as standard, including FCW, LDW, AEB, ACC, LKA, HWA, etc.
- Platooning technology: Tesla plans to realize platooning of Semi trucks in the future to improve driving efficiency and safety.
Operational data
Cumulative deliveries: Tesla aims to produce 50,000 vehicles in 2024, which would make it the second-largest Class 8 truck manufacturer in the United States.
Defensive Player
Intelligent driving configuration of traditional heavy trucks
Sany Heavy Truck
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Magic Tower 1165
- Release year: Released in April 2023, model name announced in May
Technology and Performance
- Electric drive axle: Adopts integrated electric drive axle to meet high load requirements.
- Battery system: Equipped with a large-capacity battery of 1165kWh, the designed cruising range is greater than 800 kilometers, and supports 800V voltage platform.
- Power and charging: Equipped with two flat wire motors with a maximum power of 275kW, providing powerful power output. Supports four-gun fast charging technology, which can be charged to 300 kilometers of cruising range in half an hour.
- Thermal management system: Uses advanced thermal management technology to maintain battery and motor efficiency.
- Internet of Vehicles System: Equipped with advanced Internet of Vehicles technology, supports real-time data communication.
- Assisted driving: It has a variety of intelligent driving functions such as LDW (lane departure warning), FCW (front collision warning), ACC (adaptive cruise control), LKA (lane keeping assist), and DFM (dynamic driving management).
FAW Jiefang
Intelligent representative model
- Name: Jiefang J6V Intelligent Heavy Truck
- Release year: January 20, 2022
- Manufacturing: The first generation Jiefang J6 was launched in 2007 and has been mass-produced for more than one million units. Jiefang J6V is a modified version of Jiefang J6
- Cumulative delivery volume: Specific delivery data is not disclosed.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive axle: The power chain of the whole vehicle is fully upgraded, including the high-efficiency rear axle and AMT gearbox, and the transmission efficiency is increased by 0.5%.
- Thermal management system: Improve the efficiency of the cooling and ventilation module, and save fuel through the post-processing technology upgrade.
- Vehicle networking system: Map-based speed planning module, adding real-time speed planning with dynamic perception.
- Assisted driving: including front collision warning, lane departure warning, body stability system, etc., as well as 360° blind spot perception and intelligent adaptive cruise.
Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle
Intelligent representative models
- Name: Dongfeng Tianlong Intelligent Heavy Truck
- Release year: On May 18, 2023, Dongfeng Tianlong GX was first launched, and the subsequent Dongfeng Tianlong KX version was first delivered on November 24, 2023.
- Manufacture: Manufactured by Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Co., Ltd. and developed in cooperation with Yingche Technology.
- First delivery: On November 24, 2023, the first batch of 63 vehicles were delivered in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, specially customized for Yunyi Transport Company for national trunk freight.
Technology and performance
- Vehicle networking system: As a fuel vehicle, it mainly relies on the traditional fuel system, and the main intelligence is reflected in assisted driving.
- Assisted driving: Equipped with Yingche Xuanyuan intelligent driving system, equipped with laser radar, millimeter wave radar and high-definition camera, providing advanced vehicle networking functions.
Geely Commercial Vehicle
Intelligent representative models
- Name: Xinghan G Super Electric Heavy Truck
- Release year and delivery: First released on May 11, 2023, the specific delivery situation has not been disclosed in detail.
Technology and performance
- Electric drive axle: Equipped with 800V high-efficiency electric drive system, peak horsepower exceeds 1000Ps, and adopts modular bottom fast battery replacement technology.
- Battery system: Equipped with 500kWh large-capacity battery, supports dual-gun DC fast charging, realizes charging within half an hour, and has a range of 300 kilometers.
- Internet of Vehicles System: Integrates advanced driving assistance system, integrates into Geely GKUI ecosystem, and supports a wide range of voice interaction functions.
- Assisted driving: Supports L2.5 level autonomous driving, and has a variety of intelligent driving assistance functions.
- Application scenario: Designed for regional trunk logistics, suitable for short-distance and regional trunk transportation, optimizing operational efficiency and cost.
In addition, Xinghan G Super Alcohol Electric Hybrid Heavy Truck is a medium- and long-distance MEV solution, combining methanol engine and electric drive system to meet the medium- and long-distance transportation needs of 500-1500 kilometers. It is said to save about 1 yuan per kilometer compared with traditional fuel vehicles. Xinghan G alcohol hydrogen electric heavy truck uses methanol reforming hydrogen production technology, avoiding the complexity of traditional hydrogen storage and transportation, using methanol as a hydrogen source, and generating hydrogen through reforming technology to supply fuel cells for power generation.
Yutong
Intelligent representative models
- Name: New Energy Tractor (Chuangxiang Model)
- Electric drive system: Equipped with an efficient electric drive system with a conversion efficiency of up to 97.5%, supporting strong power.
- Battery system: Provides a variety of battery options (282kWh/344kWh/350kWh), supports fast charging, and the battery maintenance cycle is extended from the traditional 3 months to 1 year. There are charging and battery replacement models.
- Thermal management system: The motor adopts an anti-condensation structure to ensure stable operation in high cold and high humidity environments.
- Vehicle networking system: Equipped with an intelligent monitoring system, 24-hour real-time monitoring of battery and vehicle status, and optimizes operation and maintenance efficiency.
- Assisted driving: Equipped with a variety of intelligent driving assistance systems, such as anti-misstepping, anti-collision, lane departure warning, 360-degree surround view, etc.
- Safety: High-standard safety design, the protection level of the battery and electronic control system reaches IP68+IP6K9K, ensuring safe operation in harsh environments.
- Comfort: The new generation of airbag seats and intelligent design improve driving comfort and space utilization in the cab.