Chinese commercial vehicle maker BYD (Build Your Dreams) has launched its electric trucks, vans and forklifts in Europe.
BYD says it's been the world's biggest electric vehicle manufacturer for the past three consecutive years (it has sold more than 113,000 plug-in electric vehicles worldwide, including about 40,000 electric buses).
It's already established in the United States market, with a heavy-duty electric tractor unit in testing with the Port of Oakland and the first of its HD electric residential refuse trucks now in everyday operation.
It says that its recent launch of an electric light truck, van and yard tractor in Spain is the start of its commercial vehicle rollout across Europe.
BYD's etruck range and vans have been proven in China and "certain other global markets," but haven't until now been offered in Europe.
The first trucks available to European customers are the T6 light truck, with a 7.5 tonne GVW and BYD's Q1M yard tractor – purposebuilt for port, airport and distribution centre work – which is rated to a 46t gross combined weight.
It also launched the fully electric BYD T3 van. It has already been selling electric forklifts in Europe.
BYD Europe MD Isbrand Ho says the launch was "a highly significant step for BYD – the introduction of a whole range of proven and competitive zero emission vehicles spanning key sectors of the commercial vehicle sector. 
"Our previous pure electric products have cemented their position in their respective categories – taxis, city buses (we are now the market leader in Europe and have recently produced our 50,000th ebus worldwide) and forklifts (this year we expect to have completed deliveries of 3000 units to European customers). 
"We are confident that this fourth product range – etrucks – will also win sales success even though the European CV sector is intensely competitive."
BYD established its European electric truck division in 2018 and has been testing two prototype etrucks across Europe.