Hugelshofer Expands Its Fleet of Electric Trucks
In 2020, the Swiss Hugelshofer Group added its first fully electric truck to its fleet, marking a significant milestone in the history of Swiss logistics. This battery-electric articulated truck, with a 40-ton capacity, became the first vehicle of its kind in the country. Since then, the company has continuously expanded its electric fleet, and in 2024, it inaugurated Switzerland’s largest fast-charging park for electric trucks in Frauenfeld. Now, in mid-October 2026, Hugelshofer Logistik AG has announced further additions to its electric fleet.
The company is putting its 86th and 87th electric trucks into service: a Superpanther eTopas 600, manufactured at the Steyr Automotive plant in Austria, and a Sany e263, produced in Changsha (China)—the latter being the first model from this brand in Switzerland. The primary goal is to have a fully electrified vehicle fleet by 2035.
These two new vehicles also serve as test cases. "Over the last few years, we have gained extensive experience with electric trucks from various European manufacturers. We have experimented with new technologies, explored operational limits, and acquired a wealth of knowledge. Admittedly, not everything worked perfectly from the start; however, it is precisely these experiences that have driven us forward and significantly shaped our electromobility strategy. By adding these two new vehicles—from Superpanther and Sany—we are deliberately broadening our technological spectrum," stated Hugelshofer Logistik AG in a press release (in German).
In its daily operations, the company will focus on comparison and analysis, drawing upon its deep experience in heavy-duty electric transport. Hugelshofer places special emphasis on range, energy consumption, reliability, ease of use, service quality, and the total cost of ownership over the vehicle's service life. The company expresses no particular preference in this regard: "Ultimately, what matters is not where an electric truck is manufactured, but rather how well it meets the demands of daily transport operations."
Sany is not only headquartered in China; Superpanther is also a Chinese company that manufactures the electric powertrain platform, software, and high-voltage electronic components for its electric trucks within that country. The final assembly of the eTopas 600 model was carried out exclusively at the Steyr plant in Austria, using components from well-known European suppliers.
The logistics company views the growing market share of Chinese manufacturers positively, seeing this development as an opportunity. Healthy competition among companies is a key driver of innovation, as it fosters the creation of new technical possibilities and can improve the long-term economic viability of electric mobility.
