Chinese electric truck manufacturer SuperPanther has formed a strategic partnership with Sino-German charging specialist ELMI Power to equip future European customers with dedicated heavy-duty charging solutions. The companies will launch their first joint pilot projects in Europe in 2026, integrating ELMI Power’s battery-buffered charging systems into SuperPanther’s electric truck ecosystem.
SuperPanther said the collaboration will support depot and logistics-site electrification with scalable charging concepts. ELMI Power’s technology uses integrated energy storage to draw electricity gradually from the grid and deliver high-power charging bursts to trucks, enabling power outputs between 340 kW and 600 kW from grid connections as low as 20 to 70 kW. “This approach unlocks locations that previously could not support high-power charging – making depot electrification and corridor charging economically viable,” the company noted.
Chao Liu, CEO and founder of SuperPanther, said the agreement reinforces the company’s role in expanding electric truck adoption across Europe. “SuperPanther drives the adoption of new-energy heavy duty trucks in Europe through our fully self-developed technology. This collaboration will allow us to offer tailor-made charging solutions to our customers and it will further accelerate grid integration and the mobility transition,” he said.
ELMI Power CEO and founder James Xu said the partnership addresses a key barrier to electric truck deployment. “By combining SuperPanther’s vehicle innovation with our battery-supported charging ecosystem, we are addressing one of Europe’s biggest bottlenecks: grid limitations,” he said. ELMI Power, founded in 2023 and based in Niddatal, Germany, offers fast chargers such as the AiO 180 and 360, along with high-capacity ELMI Hub systems.
SuperPanther, which bases its European strategy on local partnerships, has deepened ties with Austria’s Steyr Automotive. The two companies agreed in July to begin industrial production of SuperPanther e-trucks for Europe at Steyr’s facility from late 2025. Their first jointly developed model, the eTopas 600, was presented at the IAA Transportation trade fair and is tailored for European long-haul requirements.
The eTopas 600 features LFP batteries with 621 kWh usable capacity, offering up to 500 km of range. It is built on an 876-volt system architecture and provides 394 kW continuous power and 692 kW peak output through a dual-motor setup. Two CCS ports allow parallel charging at up to 2 × 330 kW, with a 20–80% charge achievable in under 38 minutes. Steyr Automotive’s involvement extends beyond contract manufacturing, with Deputy Supervisory Board Chairman Manfred Eibeck saying the company is “not just a technology integrator… but a co-creator of a shared vision.”
That vision includes the planned eEmerald truck family, covering multiple powertrain and cabin variants. Though details remain limited, the lineup is expected to centre on electrified drivetrains, consistent with SuperPanther’s NEV-focused portfolio in China.
SuperPanther, headquartered in Yangzhou, Jiangsu province, describes itself as a pioneer in new-energy heavy-duty technologies and has set an ambitious target of deploying 16,000 battery-electric trucks with its own powertrains in Europe by 2030. The company has identified DHL as an early potential customer through a letter of intent signed at IAA Transportation. Its European strategy integrates vehicle production, charging infrastructure and green-energy solutions, including lightweight structures and battery-swapping concepts.