Windrose and Decathlon's electric truck that imitates Tesla

The world of freight transport is also moving towards electric mobility, which has an increasingly strong presence in the automotive industry. Major truck manufacturers are working to develop models capable of hauling heavy loads without polluting emissions. One of those manufacturers is Tesla, which with its Semi model is also making its mark at the forefront of this type of mobility.

But it is not the only brand with trucks featuring an electric powertrain, so competition in this segment is expected to be quite intense as well. China has launched a new electric truck, which bears a strong resemblance to the Tesla Semi and has been adopted by the French sporting goods retailer Decathlon.

The company Windrose has begun testing its electric truck proposal together with Decathlon, which has committed to using this model across its European distribution network. As I mentioned, the truck is very similar to the Tesla model, in terms of design, equipment and technical specifications, so it is perceived as just as valid an option as the American one.

The battery packs offer a capacity of 729 kWh, allowing it to travel up to 600 kilometres on a full charge. Its towing capacity is 49 tonnes, making it a very capable vehicle for any type of work and route it may need to undertake.

In fact, it is carrying out several trials, running a route between two logistics centres that Decathlon operates in China. This means it covers ua route of 1,600 kilometres, with the necessary stops to recharge the batteries. These trials are proving very positive and demonstrate the electric truck’s capability to perform the job it was designed for.

Once these tests are complete, the truck will be exported to France, where further trials will be carried out to certify the vehicle to European legislation. On the European market, this tractor unit must have three axles. The first of these handles steering, while traction is applied through the second. The third axle is free-rolling and simply provides support during operation.

The driver sits in a central position, just as in Tesla’s Semi, and in front of them is a screen layout very similar to that model. Despite all these similarities, the truck could become the reference electric vehicle for Decathlon.