BYD ETT 44: the 600 km electric truck that can recharge in 20 minutes

The BYD ETT 44 is a new electric heavy-duty tractor designed for the European market, combining a 651 kWh Blade LFP battery with up to 600 km of claimed range and megawatt charging.

Presented at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, the Chinese manufacturer’s new electric truck can charge from 20 to 80% in around 20 minutes when connected to a 1.5 MW Megawatt Charging System (MCS). According to BYD, that is enough to recover around 400 km of range.

With a gross combination weight of up to 44 tonnes, the ETT 44 is aimed at long-distance heavy-duty transport, where charging time and vehicle range remain two of the main challenges for fleet operators considering electrification.

BYD ETT 44 can recover 400 km in 20 minutes

The headline figure is the charging performance. The BYD ETT 44 uses a 651 kWh Blade Battery based on LFP chemistry and has a claimed range of up to 600 km on a single charge.

When connected to a 1.5 MW MCS charger, BYD says the battery can go from 20 to 80% in approximately 20 minutes. The manufacturer claims that this can add around 400 km of range.

For professional drivers, the charging time is particularly relevant because it can fit within the mandatory rest periods applicable to truck drivers in Europe. A 20-minute charging stop can therefore take place within the driver’s scheduled break rather than necessarily requiring additional downtime.

The truck can also use a conventional CCS2 connection, although charging is considerably slower. According to information reported around the ETT 44’s European debut, CCS2 charging can reach up to 420 kW, with a 20 to 80% charging session taking approximately one hour.

Up to 1,000 hp and 44 tonnes

The BYD ETT 44 is designed as a 4×2 electric tractor with a maximum gross combination weight of 44 tonnes. BYD quotes peak power of up to 1,000 hp, while top speed is limited to 90 km/h.

The 44-tonne rating is particularly important for the European market, where the truck is intended to operate within the weight limits applicable to heavy articulated vehicles.

The ETT 44 is also part of a broader expansion of BYD’s European commercial vehicle range. At IAA Transportation 2026, the company presented vehicles covering a range from 3.5 to 44 tonnes, including new 4×2 and 6×2 configurations.

BYD ETT 44 specifications

Blade LFP battery and long warranty

The battery uses BYD’s Blade Battery technology with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. The same battery technology is already used across the manufacturer’s passenger car range.

According to information reported by Electrek and electrive.com, BYD provides a battery warranty of up to 10 years or 1.2 million kilometres. The battery is also designed to maintain safe operation beyond 5,000 charging cycles.

Safety is another area where BYD has sought to position the ETT 44 for the European market. The electric truck received a five-star rating from Euro NCAP’s heavy truck safety assessment and also received the organisation’s CitySafe award.

BYD ETT 44 vs Tesla Semi

The BYD ETT 44 will enter a European heavy electric truck market that is already becoming increasingly competitive. Tesla plans to bring the Semi to Europe from 2027, while established European manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz are already offering electric heavy trucks.

The figures above are based on the specifications and European launch information available for the two trucks. Tesla’s European specifications and pricing may change before the Semi enters the market.

When will the BYD ETT 44 arrive in Europe?

Production of the BYD ETT 44 is expected to begin in China towards the end of 2026, with the first European deliveries currently expected in the second quarter of 2027.

BYD has already established manufacturing operations in Europe for passenger cars, including its plant in Szeged, Hungary. The company is also developing a separate facility in Komárom, Hungary, for electric buses and trucks, with a planned capacity of up to 1,250 vehicles per year.

How much could the BYD ETT 44 cost?

The indicative price discussed around the truck’s European presentation is approximately €250,000. This is not an official European list price from BYD, however, and the final price may vary depending on market, specification, equipment and commercial conditions.

For Nordic readers, a simple currency conversion of €250,000 gives approximately the following figures at exchange rates around September 23, 2026:

These figures are currency equivalents of the €250,000 indicative European price, not confirmed local prices. They do not include VAT, registration taxes, transport costs, financing, equipment or any other market-specific charges.

A 20-minute charging stop could change the equation for electric trucks

The BYD ETT 44 arrives at a time when charging infrastructure is becoming as important as the trucks themselves. A 600 km claimed range is already relevant for many long-distance operations, but the ability to recover around 400 km during a 20-minute charging session could be even more significant for fleet operators.

The key challenge will be the availability of suitable megawatt charging infrastructure. The ETT 44’s headline charging figures depend on access to a 1.5 MW MCS charger, meaning that the development of high-power charging sites will be essential if trucks such as the BYD are to deliver their full potential on European routes.

With European deliveries expected from 2027, the BYD ETT 44 will therefore become another important test of whether electric heavy-duty transport can combine long-distance range, short charging stops and the payload requirements of commercial fleets.