The Chinese-built DeepWay electric semi truck has officially entered service in New Zealand, operated by Foodstuffs North Island Limited to deliver chilled and frozen groceries across the lower North Island. Originally known as the DeepWay Star, the heavy-duty electric vehicle has also received a local moniker following a naming competition with students at Russell Street School in Palmerston North, now officially called Evie.
Vehicle Specifications and Performance
The heavy-duty electric semi truck is equipped with a 600 kWh CATL-built LFP battery pack that delivers a driving range of more than 500 km (approximately 310 miles). For replenishment, the vehicle supports dual-port charging to complete a charge in approximately 30 minutes, or alternatively utilizes battery-swapping stations that can exchange depleted packs for fresh ones in six minutes.
Propulsion comes from electric motors generating 491 kW (about 660 horsepower) and 75,000 Nm of torque. The chassis is rated for a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 50 tons (100,000 lbs).
Operational Milestone
Since beginning operations earlier in the year, the vehicle has traveled nearly 45,000 kilometers (approximately 28,000 miles). According to company figures, this deployment has avoided over 81,000 kg of carbon emissions.
Relevance for European Readers
For observers in European transport markets, the deployment highlights the expanding global footprint of Chinese heavy-duty commercial electric vehicles, particularly regarding high-capacity LFP battery architectures and alternative energy infrastructure such as automated battery swapping for heavy commercial fleets.
Practical Takeaway
The DeepWay electric semi truck demonstrates that heavy-duty battery-electric logistics operating at a 50-ton GVWR can achieve daily operational ranges exceeding 500 km utilizing ultra-high-capacity 600 kWh LFP packs and rapid multi-port or swapping infrastructure.
Source: Original report