Chongqing - The first integrated operation project for new energy heavy trucks in Southwest China recently commenced operations in Chongqing. 

This pioneering initiative represents the nation's inaugural endeavor to integrate the entire industry chain of electric heavy trucks into a cohesive operation. Its implementation offers an innovative model for Southwest China, aiming to transform logistics through new energy solutions, thereby cutting transportation costs and enhancing operational efficiency.

On January 3, 2024, the first new energy heavy truck integrated operation project in Southwest China was officially implemented in Yongchuan District, Chongqing. (Photo/Yongchuan District)

The project, inaugurated in Chongqing's Yongchuan District, encompasses an array of facilities, including charging stations for heavy trucks and a dedicated vehicle maintenance center. It caters to a diverse range of transportation scenarios, servicing mines, ports, concrete mixing stations, and various factories.

The centerpiece of the project is its state-of-the-art battery-swapping system. A demonstration at the Shuangshi Town of Yongchuan District revealed the swift and efficient process. Trucks enter the automated charging station where, upon card swipe by the driver, a robotic arm descends to remove and replace the 3-ton battery situated behind the cab. Remarkably, this entire exchange is completed in a mere 3-5 minutes, outpacing traditional fueling times.

Wang Dongran, Chairman of Zhongji New Energy Technology Co., Ltd, highlighted the Yongchuan project as the largest of its kind in Southwest China. Following its lead, the company plans to launch similar initiatives in Hechuan, Qijiang, and Jiangjin to establish a comprehensive network across Chongqing.

The Yongchuan New Energy Electric Heavy Truck Project stands as the country's first fully integrated, closed-loop model for the entire industry chain in this sector. With its extensive industrial chain, robust technological foundation, and broad-reaching impact, the project is set to significantly bolster the intelligent, network-connected new energy vehicle industry in Yongchuan and extend its influence to the broader Chengdu-Chongqing area.

(Liu Meihui, as an intern, also contributed to this article.)