As originally published on our sister publication Commercial Motor, the zero-tailpipe-emission 8x4 concrete mixer featured a SANY eTruck chassis, which was manufactured in China by Putzmeister’s parent company Sany Group.
Although this was the truck’s first UK showing, it first went into production in China in 2019. It has since been reworked for the European market, and 25 examples have gone into operation in France, Germany, Spain, Norway and Iceland since the vehicle’s launch at last year’s Bauma construction trade show in Munich.
Although the truck on show at RTX was left-hand-drive, Kevin Eichele, head of business development at SANY eTrucks Europe, said the first right-hand-drive examples will land on these shores next month, and will go on trial with a large concrete company.
The truck’s 350kW LFP batteries power a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, which delivers a 250kW (360kW peak) of contunous power, and gives the truck a range of between 120 and 180 miles depending. The batteries are mounted directly behind the cab, which according to Eichele, is the ideal location for mixer applications. In addition to improving ground clearance, he said the set-up makes it difficult to overload the rear axles, meaning the truck can potentially carry a higher payload than some rivals. The example on show featured a 9cu m Hardox mixer drum.
Eichele confirmed that the chassis will also be made available for other applications, some of which will mean repositioning the batteries. “We are looking to partner with other bodybuilders, and by the end of this year you are likely to see SANY trucks with different bodies.”
