German TÜV certifies Foton electric truck for European markets
The iBlue EV electric truck from Chinese manufacturer Foton has received EU type approval from TÜV Rheinland. With the receipt of the EU-EVTA certificate, the vehicle can now be exported to EU countries and other markets that require WVTA certification.
Foton sees the certificate as an “access card” to the EU market. This is because the WVTA certificate (or type approval) is accepted throughout the EU without the need for further testing by the respective countries or their testing companies – until a directive is updated or the vehicle design is changed.
Among the more than 30 tests the iBlue EV had to pass for the certificate are some safety tests around the electrical system, NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) tests, but also safety assistants like a working super-exit warning or an emergency brake assist.
According to the manufacturer, the Foton iBlue EV is available in two versions – with a gross vehicle weight of 4.5 or 6.0 tonnes. Empty, the 5.96-metre-long e-truck is said to weigh less than 2.5 tonnes, resulting in a payload of between two and 3.5 tonnes. The battery comes from CATL, a battery size or range is neither mentioned in the announcement nor on the product page. The power of the engine is stated to be 300 kW at peak, the continuous power is probably 115 kW.
Foton does not yet mention any concrete plans for EU distribution in the communication on obtaining type approval. However, it is announced that in addition to the e-trucks, the manufacturer’s fully electric buses will also be type-approved.
Foton has made headlines in Germany mainly as the interim owner of Borgward. Since the relaunch of the traditional German brand under Chinese leadership famously failed, Foton had sold its shares to Ucar in 2019.
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