Sany's electric heavy truck undergoes major performance trials

A heavy truck weighing more than 10 metric tons recently demonstrated its ability to handle curves like a sports car in Zhuzhou, Central China's Hunan province.

The Sany SE636, a 10.6-ton heavy truck produced by Sany Truck, completed a series of rigorous performance tests at the Zhuzhou International Circuit, a Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Grade 2 motorsport track, making it the first mass-produced electric heavy truck in China to complete performance validation on a FIA-certified circuit, the company said.

The 3.77-kilometer circuit, known as a "devil track", features a 25.98-meter elevation difference, a maximum cross slope of 10 percent and 14 curves. These elements create dramatic weight shifts on every lap and test a vehicle's ability to manage high-speed turns under the combined forces of gravity and centrifugal pull.

Veteran professional racing driver Tian Linwen, a prominent member of the China Stunt Driving Team, was behind the wheel. Over five consecutive laps, the truck achieved a best lap time of 2 minutes and 43 seconds, with the first three laps consistently around 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

For a heavy truck pushing its limits on a racetrack, the biggest challenge is not speed but heat fade — the gradual loss of braking and power performance due to overheating components, said Liu Jiang, research and development manager at Sany Truck's technology research institute.

"During five laps of aggressive driving, the SE636 maintained consistent power output, showcasing the strength of its motor performance and battery management system," Liu said.

What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is that the SE636 is not a track-only concept vehicle. According to Sany Truck, the heavy-duty commercial vehicle division of global manufacturing giant Sany Group, it is a purpose-built electric heavy truck designed for express freight logistics. The truck used in the certification tests was a standard production model with no racing modifications.

"The track essentially represents the ultimate version of the challenges such a truck could face on public roads — long downhill stretches, frequent braking and complex lane changes," Liu said. The SE636's performance on the FIA circuit indicates it is more than capable of handling real-world freight operations, he added.

"Electric heavy trucks can't just operate in confined scenarios," Liu emphasized. "A truck that can perform on the track is better equipped for every kilometer of freight transport."

The certified performance data not only boosts the company's confidence in the vehicle's ability to handle complex road conditions, but also plays a critical role in the R&D of autonomous driving, Liu said.

"The track helps us thoroughly understand the vehicle's performance limits," Liu added. "This data is essential for building better self-driving systems in the future."