19.02.2025 – From two- to five-axle trucks. For heavy trucks with special applications such as concrete mixers, car transporters or snow ploughs, the axle configuration in combination with the battery setup and the body plays a decisive role. Can electric trucks also guarantee the necessary performance for demanding daily operations in such special applications?

A concrete mixer with five axles and a large mixing drum, a fire department scaffolding vehicle with easily accessible equipment boxes or a three-axle car transporter with a range of over 500 kilometers – all these vehicles have one thing in common: their intended use determines the space required for the special body, the total weight and therefore also the axle configuration. In large-series electric trucks, the traction batteries are installed where the diesel tanks are located in diesel trucks – between the axles. However, there is often not enough space there for special trucks.

Solutions for every application
The Swiss electromobility specialist Designwerk Technologies therefore offers customized solutions for heavy-duty battery-electric special trucks.
The capacity and placement of the battery packs can be individually adapted to the respective application requirements. This not only means that the battery capacity can be adapted to the route profile and load, but also that the high-voltage battery systems can be installed in different places in the vehicle – whether as a battery tower behind the cab, on the side of the chassis or integrated into the vehicle body.

The goal: the special electric truck must be optimally configured for its intended use. From payload-critical applications, where every kilogram counts, to battery electric snow ploughs for freeways and airports with high energy requirements and battery capacities of up to 1000 kWh – the right combination of chassis, battery dimensions and placement is crucial. The total weight must be distributed across the axles in accordance with the law. Only through modular flexibility can special electric vehicles from two- to five-axle vehicles be designed in such a way that they are both efficient and economical to operate.

“At Designwerk Technologies, we are all about developing individual solutions that are precisely tailored to the specific operational requirements of our customers. This is the key advantage over the major truck manufacturers who do not offer flexible customization in the battery placement of their electric trucks. As a result, customers are unable to choose the ideal battery capacity and axle configuration for specific applications.
Markus Erdmann, Head of Product at Designwerk Technologies AG.

Flexibility is the key
In addition to the route profile, battery capacity and payload are the decisive factors for the range and efficiency of an e-truck. By customizing the battery and axle configuration, Designwerk ensures that customers receive the ideal solution for their specific requirements – whether for long distances or heavy loads. From waste collection and crane vehicles to concrete mixers, road cleaning machines and all-electric snow ploughs – with this flexibility, the Swiss company has already put several hundred zero-emission special vehicles into operation and gained over 20 million kilometers of experience. Thanks to the simple configuration of high-voltage battery systems, axles and power take-offs of the Designwerk e-trucks, logistics companies can offer their customers economical and energy-efficient solutions.

Are you looking for solutions for your specific requirements? Get in touch with us.