E-Trucks: Einride becomes a major customer of BYD

The Swedish company Einride has purchased 200 battery-electric trucks of the type 8TT (Class 8) from BYD for use in the USA – according to the Chinese, this is the largest order of its kind outside Asia to date. BYD will begin delivering the first vehicles in February, all of which will be assembled in Lancaster, California. The rest will be delivered in waves over the next twelve months. Einride aims to expand its fleet of connected electric vehicles with these trucks. They are powered by Saga, Einride's technology platform.

A large portion of the vehicles are BYD's 3rd generation 8TT with an extended range of up to 320 km thanks to a 563-kWh LFP battery. The maximum CCS1 charging power is 185 kW. The cabins of the vehicles were designed by former Audi chief designer Wolfgang Josef Egger. The Air-Ride cabs offer improved aerodynamics and energy efficiency, as well as a spacious and ergonomic interior. The trucks come standard with emergency braking, lane-keeping and blind-spot assistants, as well as adaptive cruise control. The equipment also includes an electronic parking assistant, keyless entry, and a start button.

Einride was founded in 2016. The Swedish company's digital technology enables customers to order and track freight, monitor routes and assignments, and visualize and collect data. In December 2021, it already ordered 120 eActros trucks of the type 300 and 400 with three or four battery packs from Daimler Truck, to deploy them with customers in European markets. Einride is also known as the developer of the autonomous E-truck T-Pod, which, in its futuristic design, no longer even has a driver's cab. However, the startup has built additional pillars with digital fleet services and with vehicle procurement for third parties and now describes itself as a "freight technology company offering digital, electric, and autonomous transportation".