ETT 44 is BYD’s New 44-Ton Electric Semi-Truck, Lands in Europe With 373 Miles and 20-Minute Charges

BYD parked a new 4×2 semi-truck at IAA Transportation in Hannover last week and named it the ETT 44. Fleet buyers across Europe now have a long-haul electric option rated for 44-metric-ton combinations, or about 97,000 pounds gross. First customer trucks are scheduled for the second quarter of 2027.

Two Blade lithium-iron-phosphate battery packs are housed inside the frame of an electric vehicle. A 434 kilowatt-hour version is good for about 249 miles. In contrast, the larger 651 kilowatt-hour pack is rated for 373 miles. Both packs come with an impressive 10-year warranty or 745,000 miles, whichever comes first. The system operates at a decent 851 volts. The truck is propelled by a single motor that can deliver 732 horsepower to the wheels, with a high of over 1,000 horsepower under heavy loads. On the hefty side, this truck weighs between 24,140 and 24,560 pounds, making it somewhat heavier than Tesla’s European Semi but capable of pulling a higher combination load than the Tesla, which max out at 40 metric tons.

When choosing how to deploy this truck, fleets will undoubtedly consider charging times. Pull up to a standard CCS2 plug and you can charge up to 420 kilowatts, filling the battery to 20-80% in just over an hour; however, if you have access to BYD’s high-powered megawatt charging setup, you can reduce that time to just 20 minutes and add a whopping 248 miles to your range in the process. This is the same Flash Charging technology that BYD employs in their passenger cars, and they’re already putting together matching depot units to help truck operators obtain the charging assistance they require.

Euro NCAP safety assessors assessed the ETT 44 on the new truck protocol, awarding it a perfect 5 stars and a CitySafe grade. The results were approximately 89% for safe driving, 73% for crash avoidance, and 80% following a crash. So, what’s driving this outstanding safety record? A low cab height, as well as a window in the passenger door and some innovative camera mirrors, all contribute to the driver’s ability to see the road more clearly. Not to mention that every ETT 44 comes equipped with adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, lane keeping, and blind-spot alerts.

The interior is also rather sleek, with a high-roof sleeper with the driver’s cot nestled in beneath the seats, a 12.8-inch center screen, digital controls, and video feeds in place of traditional door mirrors. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also supported for standard entertainment and app functionality. In addition, launch vehicles are outfitted with additional aerodynamics as well as standard air suspension to ensure a smooth ride.

Stella Li, who runs BYD’s international business, said the company intends to build in Europe whatever it sells in Europe so it can operate as a European firm. A bus and commercial-vehicle plant already runs in Komárom, Hungary, with battery work nearby. A dedicated truck factory site has not been named. A planned billion-dollar plant in Manisa, Turkey, was paused in June.

BYD is offering fleets a comprehensive package solution that includes the ETT 44, depot chargers, stationary storage, energy software, and finance all in one contract. That differs from how some competitors work; Tesla’s Semi is expected to arrive in Europe this month, while Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, and Scania are already producing electric tractors with comparable ranges. BYD is focusing on the data that are important to fleet managers right now: pack size, 20-minute charging time, higher combination ratings, and, of course, the published five-star Euro NCAP score.
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