Chinese e-mobility specialist Westwell has secured an order for 60 battery-electric terminal trucks from Westports Malaysia, as the port advances its decarbonisation and fleet electrification programme.
The vehicles, known as E-Trucks, will be deployed alongside automated battery-swapping infrastructure to support continuous terminal operations with minimal downtime. Each truck is powered by a 282 kWh battery and is designed for an operating range of up to 150 kilometres under typical terminal duty cycles, the companies said.
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Energy supply will be supported by automated battery-swapping stations capable of completing a battery exchange in about five minutes, reducing idle time compared with conventional charging. Westwell will also provide charging scheduling software, fleet management systems and lifecycle support, including local maintenance services, spare parts and system upgrades.
The electric trucks are purpose-built for terminal operations such as container handling and short-haul movements within port environments. Westwell and Westports said the deployment is intended to reduce carbon emissions while improving fleet utilisation and overall operational efficiency.
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Westwell and Westports have collaborated since 2022 on automation and energy-related projects. The latest order represents the largest single deployment of Westwell’s E-Truck platform at the terminal to date and builds on earlier cooperation between the two companies.
“The deployment of 60 E-Trucks and smart energy solutions will significantly enhance the terminal’s operational efficiency while reducing our carbon emission intensity,” said Ruben Emir Gnanalingam, executive chairman of Westports. He added that the project supports the port’s longer-term ambition to operate a fully electrified expanded container terminal.
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Kenny Tan, founder and chairman of Westwell, said the company aims to support the green and intelligent transformation of ports. “We are committed to bringing cutting-edge innovative technologies to port operations, with artificial intelligence and new energy as our core technologies,” he said.
Ports across Asia have increasingly turned to electrification and automation as they seek to cut emissions, improve efficiency and comply with tightening environmental standards.
