Chinese electric heavy trucks see export surge as sodium‑ion batteries prove cold‑weather performance

Chinese manufacturers of heavy‑duty trucks are experiencing rapid growth in overseas sales. In the first quarter of 2026, export volumes rose 33 % year‑on‑year to over 100,000 units, accounting for more than 30 % of total deliveries, with Southeast Asia and Africa identified as key markets. Competitive pricing, strong loading capacity and broad model ranges, supported by government subsidies that bring purchase prices near parity with diesel trucks, are driving the expansion. A trade‑in award policy offers buyers up to 140,000 yuan for replacing old trucks with electric models.

A separate test of a sodium‑ion battery pack on an FAW Jiefang J6P tractor demonstrated that more than 90 % of capacity is retained at –40 °F. The battery can be fully charged in 20–25 minutes, withstands over 8,000 fast‑charging cycles, and uses abundant materials such as salt, though it has lower energy density than lithium‑ion chemistries. These results could make electric freight more viable in extremely cold regions.