The first electric Chinese truck is starting to be sold in Israel

After Chinese cars had a 16% market share in Israel in 2023, the highest in the West, most of which are electric, they are also storming the truck market with electric vehicles as well.

The first shipment of Dongfeng trucks imported by TALCAR Motors is now on its way to Israel through the long route around Africa. Last week, they also received approval for an electric truck of the Chinese conglomerate Weichai, which Dalhom Motors will import. Both trucks are in the urban distribution category, weighing 7.5 tons, competing with diesel models of Isuzu and Hino. Being electric, they will be able to reduce air pollution and noise in the city.

Weichai is a Chinese state-owned conglomerate that is involved in the planning, manufacturing, and sales of automotive engines as well as truck production. Dalhom Motors will import the first trucks in the third quarter of this year, and by the end of 2024, around 50 trucks are expected to arrive in Israel. All of them will meet European standards and are intended for use as transport, refrigeration, and delivery trucks. The first model expected to land in Israel soon is the LE 7.5 14 fit, weighing 7.5 tons.

The trucks will be equipped with a battery with a power of 100.46 kilowatts, with a range of about 300 km, and their price is expected to start at NIS 180,000. Dalhom is also preparing to import charging stations for electric vehicles.

The company specializing in the heavy vehicle market is already importing electric buses from the Turkish brand Temsa, electric commercial vehicles from ASIS STAR, and electric vehicles from the brand SHINERA SWM. By mid-2024, the company is expected to import urban and intercity electric buses from the brand ASIA STAR to the country.

Mickey Boguslevski, CEO of Dahlom Motors: "This is a significant milestone for us as a company and for Israeli drivers, who will be able to use high-quality electric commercial vehicles and electric trucks very soon."

Electric trucks offer a more limited range than diesel trucks and can only be suitable for some urban distribution routes. Their operating costs are cheaper, but their price is higher. Unlike the private electric vehicle market, in the heavy vehicle market, the government does not offer benefits to buyers to subsidize the transition. This is unlike the US and Europe, which provide generous grants to companies that transition part of their diesel fleet to electric.