At the Handelsblatt Annual Conference Commercial Vehicles 2026 in Munich, BYD Europe B.V. is presenting its commercial vehicle strategy for Europe — with eTrucks, battery technology, charging infrastructure, energy storage systems and a growing dealer network. We gathered insights from Barış Akyalçım, Head of eTruck Department Europe.
The commercial vehicle industry is under pressure. Diesel still dominates large parts of the European transport market, but the direction is clear: alternative drivetrains are moving from pilot projects into everyday operations. What only a few years ago began as test fleets, subsidy projects or green window dressing is now becoming a strategic question for logistics companies, fleet operators and municipalities. This is precisely where BYD comes in. The Chinese technology group, already highly visible in Europe through electric buses and passenger cars, now wants to gain a stronger foothold in the commercial vehicle segment as well. And not only with battery-electric trucks, but with a broader concept: vehicle, battery, charging infrastructure, energy storage and renewable energy are to be considered together. “We are seeing a clear transformation: from a diesel-dominated market toward alternative energies,” says Barış Akyalçım, Head of eTruck Department Europe at BYD Europe B.V. “The challenge today is to make this transition feasible and affordable for real-world operations.”
The market wants to switch — but not at any price
The willingness to electrify is already present in many areas. Pressure is growing particularly in urban distribution transport, municipal applications, ports, depots, intralogistics and predictable daily routes. Low-emission zones, CO₂ regulations, customer expectations and companies’ own sustainability targets are forcing operators to act. But there remains a significant gap between political ambition and operational reality. Electric trucks must be available, remain affordable and fit into existing workflows. According to BYD, this is where the real hurdle lies. “When we talk about electric commercial vehicles, it is not just about delivering a vehicle,” Akyalçım emphasizes. “It is about the entire ecosystem.” Many operators are facing the same questions: How high is the capex? When will the electric truck reach TCO parity? How quickly can it be charged? Is the grid connection sufficient? What happens if energy prices fluctuate? And how can a battery-electric truck be deployed without completely reinventing route planning? For Akyalçım, the answer is clear: the industry needs solutions that are economically viable, technologically robust and operationally realistic.
Not a conventional vehicle manufacturer
BYD deliberately positions itself differently from many established commercial vehicle manufacturers. The company does not see itself merely as an OEM, but as a technology provider with a high level of in-house value creation. Batteries, electric motors, control electronics and semiconductors all come from within the group. This vertical integration is intended to help BYD better control costs, technology and availability.
“BYD is not a conventional vehicle manufacturer. We are a technology company,” says Akyalçım. “The critical components of an electric vehicle come from our own supply chain.” A key element is the so-called Blade Battery, which BYD has already made well known in the passenger car sector. This battery technology is now also being used in buses and trucks. For BYD, it is at the heart of its commercial vehicle strategy: durable, safe and designed for heavy-duty demands.
“The battery is the heart of the electric vehicle,” says Akyalçım. “Especially with high charging power, it must offer a long service life, safety and efficiency.”
From buses to a truck offensive
BYD is not an entirely new name in Europe’s commercial vehicle sector. In particular, the company has built a strong foundation over many years in the electric bus segment. According to Akyalçım, more than 7,000 BYD buses are already in operation across Europe and the United Kingdom. BYD also points to its global experience in the commercial vehicle sector: more than 120,000 electric commercial vehicles are said to be in operation worldwide.
Now comes the next step: electric vans, distribution trucks and special-purpose vehicles for ports, airports, mines, municipalities and closed operating sites. BYD summarizes this strategy under the term “7 plus 4” — seven conventional vehicle applications and four special application areas.
For Europe, this means BYD wants to broaden its commercial vehicle portfolio and become visible in several segments. Applications with predictable routes, depot charging and fixed operating profiles are especially attractive for electrification.
The grid question becomes a key issue But even the best electric truck is of little use if the energy is not available. BYD sees this as one of the biggest bottlenecks in Europe. Akyalçım cites the Netherlands as an example, where grid capacity is already a major issue in many places. “I live in the Netherlands, and the electricity grid is a major problem there,” he says. “Even if the potential for electrification exists, it is very difficult to obtain the necessary grid power.”
For fleet operators, this is not a side issue, but business-critical. A depot with several electric trucks needs charging power, load management and supply security. If you cannot charge, you cannot drive. And if charging is too slow, you lose operational flexibility. Charging speed also remains a sticking point. Many customers want to change their existing diesel workflows as little as possible. Long downtimes, however, do not suit every use case. “One of the biggest points our customers raise is that they cannot use the same operating scenario as with diesel,” says Akyalçım. “That is a real challenge.”
All-in-one instead of just an eTruck
BYD therefore does not only want to sell vehicles, but to build an energy system around operations. The vision consists of three components: solar energy, BYD energy storage systems and fast-charging capability. The aim is to reduce dependence on the grid, make energy costs more predictable and create charging infrastructure that supports operations instead of hindering them.
“We call this an all-in-one energy solution,” explains Akyalçım. “Because in the end, it is not just about the truck. Many OEMs build vehicles. We have to deliver a complete solution.” During a visit to China, Akyalçım says he has already seen corresponding stations: charging points, BYD storage systems and an integrated energy ecosystem. At present, this solution is mainly visible in the passenger car sector, but it clearly shows the direction in which BYD is also thinking for commercial vehicles.
The long-term vision is ambitious: charging should feel like refuelling — fast, simple and predictable.
Dealer network in Europe set to grow
In addition to technology and product portfolio, BYD primarily needs customer proximity in Europe. That is why, alongside existing local BYD country organizations, the company is already looking for commercial vehicle dealers. This is an important step. In the commercial vehicle business, the product alone is not decisive. Support matters just as much: consulting, bodybuilder expertise, financing, service, spare parts, repair times and local contacts are all crucial for operators.
An eTruck is not simply a procurement item. It changes energy planning, route profiles, workshop processes and operating cost calculations. Dealers therefore become not just sellers, but transformation partners. For BYD, building a strong European sales and service network is therefore essential if the company wants to be a serious player in the truck segment.
Big news at the IAA
BYD is announcing further news for September in Hanover. There, the company plans to present products and solutions for the European market. Akyalçım does not yet provide details, but indicates that visitors can expect surprises.
“I invite you all to Hanover,” he says. “We will show some surprises there regarding the products and solutions that we will bring to market very soon.” The message is clear: BYD does not merely want to observe the European commercial vehicle market — it wants to attack it. With products, batteries, charging infrastructure, storage solutions and a growing sales network.
More than an eTruck provider
The electrification of the commercial vehicle segment will not be decided on the road alone, but at the depot. That is where it becomes clear whether range, charging time, grid connection, energy price, maintenance and vehicle availability fit together. BYD is focusing precisely on this point. The group wants to translate its strengths in battery production, energy technology and vehicle technology into a complete system. For European operators, this could become interesting — especially in cases where simply selling a vehicle is not enough. Or, as Akyalçım sums it up: “It is not just about delivering vehicles. It is about taking the headaches out of our customers’ operations.”
For BYD, this marks the beginning of a new phase in Europe. After passenger cars and buses, the electric truck is now moving into focus. The decisive factor will be how quickly products, dealer network, service and energy infrastructure grow together. Because the market is not waiting for visions — it needs solutions that work.