China’s Zhejiang Geely Automobile Group plans to enter the local electric heavy truck market by 2024, joining a growing number of electric vehicle (EV) makers to target this segment.
The car maker’s Farizon Auto commercial vehicle unit unveiled a futuristic battery powered truck concept, the Homtruck, following similar moves by BYD Auto in September and Telsa much earlier.
TuSimple, a Chinese autonomous truck startup, also planned to launch an electric truck in 2024.
Geely said it aimed to produce 570,000 zero and low emission trucks per year by 2030.
CEO Li Shufu said during the unveiling of the truck: “An upgrade of the next generation of vehicles is imminent, particularly commercial vehicles, as they put a heavy burden on the environment.”
The Homtruck unveiled this week features a number of home comforts for its drivers, including a shower, toilet, single bed and kitchen area with refrigerator and small washing machine.
Drivers could switch between power modes, from pure electric to hybrid battery, and would be able to easily swap depleted batteries for fully charged packs.
The truck would also be able to support autonomous driving.