Czech commercial vehicle manufacturer Tatra Trucks has unveiled its first battery-electric truck, the Force e-Drive BEV, an 8×8 prototype designed for demanding construction and mining applications. The heavy-duty truck combines a 480 kWh battery with all-wheel drive and an electric powertrain producing up to 550 kW.
Tatra Develops Electric 8×8 Truck
The Force e-Drive BEV is based on the latest generation of Tatra’s Force chassis, which uses the company’s central tube frame and independently suspended half-shafts.
All four axles are driven. The two front axles can be engaged when required, while the two rear axles remain permanently driven.
The chassis is also equipped with air suspension and axle and inter-axle differentials, providing the drivetrain and chassis configuration required for operation on difficult terrain.
480 kWh Battery Provides Up to 400 km
Tatra partnered with Danfoss for the electric motor used in the Force e-Drive BEV. The motor delivers a peak output of 550 kW and maximum torque of 2,600 Nm.
Continuous output is rated at 360 kW, with continuous torque of 2,300 Nm.
The motor sends power through an automated four-speed Eaton transmission and an additional Tatra gearbox designed specifically for demanding off-road operation.
Energy is supplied by 12 traction batteries with a combined capacity of 480 kWh. Tatra estimates a driving range of between 300 and 400 km depending on the vehicle’s application.
The prototype weighs approximately 22 tonnes and can carry up to 22 tonnes of payload. It can also tow up to 18 tonnes.
Electric Truck Targets Construction and Mining
Tatra is using the prototype to evaluate how a battery-electric powertrain performs in a heavy-duty vehicle operating both on public roads and in demanding off-road environments.
Construction and mining have been identified as potential applications because the Force platform is designed for challenging operating conditions.
Tatra has not yet confirmed whether the Force e-Drive BEV will progress to series production. The current vehicle is being used primarily as a development and testing platform.
Heavy-Duty EV Market Expands
The Tatra prototype arrives as battery-electric powertrains gain ground in the heavy-duty commercial vehicle market.
According to an analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation, global sales of medium- and heavy-duty electric trucks and buses increased 86% in 2025 to approximately 520,000 vehicles.
China accounted for the majority of this growth, with battery-electric vehicles representing 28% of newly registered heavy-duty trucks in the country during 2025.
Tatra Tests Multiple Alternative Powertrains
The Force e-Drive BEV is part of Tatra’s broader development programme for alternative powertrains.
Since 2023, the manufacturer has introduced several vehicles using its e-Drive platform, including an 8×6 fuel-cell truck and an 8×8 plug-in hybrid.
The plug-in hybrid combines an eight-cylinder internal-combustion engine with an electric motor and can travel up to 70 km using electric power alone.
The new battery-electric Force prototype expands that programme into a fully electric heavy-duty configuration and gives Tatra an opportunity to evaluate battery propulsion for applications where high payload capacity and off-road capability are critical.
