Yutong Expands into UK Electric Truck Market
Chinese commercial vehicle giant Yutong is set to introduce a 7.5-tonne electric truck to the UK, marking a significant step in its efforts to support fleet operators in transitioning to zero-emission transport. The Yutong T75e, available from Q2 2025, will come with two battery configurations—100kWh and 132kWh—offering an official range of over 180 miles for the larger pack.
The T75e boasts an unladen chassis-cab weight of under 3,000kg and supports multiple body configurations, including box, tipper, curtain side, compaction, and insulated bodies. The truck is likely going to have three electric power take-off (ePTO) options.
Yutong is launching the truck in partnership with Pelican Engineering Group, which has been the company’s sole UK and Ireland importer and distributor since 2014. Pelican has already successfully introduced Yutong’s electric bus and coach ranges to the UK, selling over 1,500 vehicles, 800 of which are battery-electric. Pelican will oversee sales, servicing, and customer support for the T75e, with demonstrator vehicles available for fleet trials from April 2025.
“If the UK is to satisfy its net zero ambitions, then the decarbonisation of the commercial vehicle sector is a crucial part of the jigsaw,” said Richard Crump, managing director of Pelican Engineering. “We believe the 7.5-tonne sector is the easiest to electrify, and the Yutong truck chassis, combined with our cost-effective charger and battery storage solution, provides operators with a ready-made zero-emission solution.”
Yutong: A Global Leader in Commercial EVs
Founded in 1963 as Zhengzhou Bus Repair Factory, Yutong has evolved into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial electric vehicles. The company has exported over 100,000 buses to more than 100 countries, securing over 10% of the global market share for new energy buses. With over 190,000 new energy buses sold to date, Yutong continues to lead the sector, offering a wide range of transport solutions, including city buses, long-distance coaches, tourist coaches, school buses, and specialised mobility vehicles.
Yutong’s partnership with Pelican Engineering has been instrumental in its UK success, establishing a strong presence in the country’s electric bus and coach sector. Now, with the introduction of the T75e electric truck, the company aims to expand its influence into the growing electric commercial vehicle market.
The UK’s Transition to Electric Trucks
The UK’s commercial vehicle sector is undergoing a significant shift towards electrification, driven by tightening emissions regulations, government incentives, and growing corporate sustainability commitments. The 7.5-tonne sector, in particular, has been identified as a prime candidate for electrification due to its urban and regional delivery use cases, where battery-electric powertrains offer a viable alternative to diesel.
Manufacturers such as Renault Trucks, Mercedes-Benz, and DAF have already introduced electric models in this category, but Yutong’s entry represents a fresh challenge to established players. By leveraging its extensive experience in electric mobility and its successful bus market penetration, Yutong could position itself as a strong contender in the UK’s electric truck landscape.
With fleet operators seeking reliable and cost-effective solutions for low-emission transport, Yutong’s T75e, combined with Pelican’s infrastructure support, is set to play a key role in the UK’s commercial EV transition. As the sector moves towards a cleaner, more sustainable future, the arrival of new competitors like Yutong will only accelerate the pace of change.
John is the Editor and Spokesperson for Electric Car Guide.
With over 20 years of writing experience, he has written for titles such as City AM, FE News and NerdWallet.com, covering various automotive and personal finance topics.
John’s market commentary has been covered by the likes of The Express, The Independent, Yahoo Finance and The Evening Standard.
