BYD's New Electric Semi Has More Range And Nearly Double Tesla's Charging PowerGuessing HeadlightsAndre NalinWed, September 16, 2026 at 10:00 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleImage Credit: BYD.Tesla is finally preparing to put the Semi to work in Europe, but it won't have the electric big-rig market to itself. One of China's largest automakers has arrived in Hannover with a formidable alternative aimed squarely at European fleets.BYD already has plenty of experience building electric commercial vehicles, ranging from buses to delivery trucks. Its latest creation moves the company deeper into the heavy-duty long-haul market, where range, charging time, and carrying capability are much more important than flashy acceleration figures.The truck made its debut at IAA Transportation 2026 alongside an expanding field of battery-powered rivals. According to Reuters, BYD plans to launch its first heavy-duty truck in Europe next year and eventually wants to manufacture the trucks locally.AdvertisementAdvertisementIt's called the ETT 44, and its specifications immediately put the European Tesla Semi on notice. BYD claims as much as 600 km (373 miles) of range and charging at over 1.5 megawatts, giving it an advantage over Tesla's European truck in two particularly important areas.Its 651-kWh Battery Delivers 373 Miles Of RangeThe long-range ETT 44 uses a massive 651-kWh BYD Blade Battery with LFP chemistry and an 851-volt electrical architecture. BYD claims the combination can travel up to 600 km, or approximately 373 miles, between charges.For comparison, Tesla currently lists its European-spec Semi at approximately 550 km, or 342 miles, on a charge while operating at a 40-tonne gross combination weight. Tesla estimates energy consumption at 1.0 kWh per kilometer under its specified test conditions.BYD also offers a smaller 434-kWh battery with a claimed 400-km, or 249-mile, range. The company is backing the battery with a 10-year or 1.2-million-kilometer warranty.BYD Has A Huge Charging AdvantageImage Credit: BYD.Charging may be the ETT 44's most impressive number. The 651-kWh version supports more than 1.5 MW through the Megawatt Charging System, with BYD claiming a 20-to-80% recharge takes less than 20 minutes and can restore roughly 400 km, or 248 miles, of driving range.AdvertisementAdvertisementTesla's European Semi supports up to 800 kW and is claimed to recover as much as 60% of its range in 30 minutes. In other words, BYD is claiming nearly twice Tesla's peak charging power, although real-world charging performance will depend heavily on access to infrastructure capable of supplying that much electricity.The ETT 44 isn't lacking power either. BYD quotes approximately 743 PS in normal operation and as much as 1,000 PS at peak, giving the electric tractor plenty of muscle for heavy-duty work.It Can Handle A 44-Tonne CombinationThe ETT 44 is configured for a gross combination weight of 44 tonnes, or roughly 97,000 pounds, under European regulations. Tesla lists its European Semi at 40 tonnes, although comparing payload isn't quite that simple.Tesla has a major advantage in curb weight. Its European Semi weighs less than 9,100 kg, while the BYD reportedly comes in around 11 tonnes depending on specification, meaning Tesla can devote considerably more of its permitted gross weight to cargo.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside, BYD sticks with a conventional truck layout rather than Tesla's unusual central driving position. There's a 12.8-inch infotainment display, a sleeper area, and support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.BYD Eventually Wants To Build It In EuropeImage Credit: BYD.BYD isn't planning to remain an importer forever. Executive Vice President Stella Li told Reuters that the company's long-term intention is to manufacture in Europe the products it sells there, which would also reduce its exposure to potential tariffs on Chinese-built trucks. The Chinese company is signaling that it wants to become a serious local competitor in the continent's heavy-duty commercial vehicle market.Tesla's lighter Semi still has an important payload advantage, so this isn't a clean sweep for BYD, however, the ETT 44 arrives with greater claimed range and dramatically higher peak charging power.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.