The Chinese Windrose looks like a Tesla Semi but it has nothing to do with it. It is a Chinese electric truck that has the same, central seating position of the driver as in the Semi.
The truck has an impressive 729 kWh battery package that gives it a radius of 670 km with a full load, up to 49 ton total weight. The truck has 1400 Hp output power.
The most interesting thing about it is the chassis layout. The conventional truck chassis was cut off behind the cab and just before the first driven axle. Between those two is the battery package. In stead of a normal chassis with two beams from the front all the way to the back Windrose uses, what thay call the ‘rib case’ construction. That means that the strengt is now in the side protection of the batterypack.
With this ‘Rib Cage there is much more space for the battery pack. In combination with the two e-axles the complete center section of the truck gives space for the large energy storage. Check the photo’s for this unconventional layout. Basically it is the first time since Henry Ford invented the ladder chassis that a company comes with a new chassis design!
