How does the electrification technology from passenger cars translate to commercial vehicles? GAC Commercial Vehicle provides us with the answer.
As a “seasoned newcomer,” GAC Commercial Vehicle has bet its entire business on the new energy sector. However, in today’s rapidly evolving new energy landscape, carving out a place in the market requires producing distinctive products that stand out. Thus, GAC Commercial Vehicle focused on the demands of short-haul freight scenarios and launched its next-generation heavy truck product—the T9 King of Short Haul.
Cyberpunk Styling, First-Class Interior
The GAC Commercial Vehicle T9 heavy truck boasts an eye-catching design with sharp edges, diamond-cut aesthetics, and smooth surfaces all around the body. Paired with its metallic silver paint, the truck exudes a cyberpunk pickup vibe. Thanks to its unique aerodynamic design, the T9 achieves a drag coefficient of just 0.4cd—significantly lower than most cab-over heavy trucks on the market.
The cabin employs a cage-style body frame design, offering robust structural safety and excellent protection for drivers. Additionally, the cabin features a four-point air suspension system to enhance comfort on bumpy roads.
The front bumper is wider than the body, with sharp, angular designs adding a strong sense of depth. A unique through-type LED daytime running light enhances its aesthetic appeal, while beneath it lies an outwardly arranged matrix LED lens headlight system.
The LED headlights feature three lenses and LED light sources, providing outstanding visibility at night.
Traditional physical rearview mirrors have been replaced by advanced electronic mirrors, a trend gaining popularity in high-end heavy trucks. The electronic mirror housing integrates a ground-view camera, further reducing blind spots.
As a concept-heavy truck, the T9 offers a unique interior design, distinct from conventional heavy trucks. The front-oriented dashboard and flat floor design maximize usable cabin space, while the seats feature Grammer MSG90.6 air suspension, prioritizing comfort.
The T9 includes a multifunctional steering wheel with GAC’s logo, complemented by a dual-screen display. The dashboard features wood-grain accents, and controls like the buttons, handbrake, and air conditioning panel are strategically placed within the driver’s reach for ease of operation.
Electronic mirror displays are positioned on both A-pillars, offering ground-view monitoring and superior visibility compared to conventional mirrors, especially in low-light conditions.
Unlike standard heavy trucks where drivers rest solely on the sleeper berth, the T9 provides a pull-out tea table for brewing tea during breaks, along with an onboard kettle for hot water, offering enhanced living quality.
The passenger seat includes a luxurious “queen’s chair” with a massage function for added relaxation during breaks, improving both comfort and well-being.
Want more? A fold-down screen and projector offer a cinematic experience paired with in-cabin theater-grade audio for high-quality entertainment on the go.
Ultra-lightweight Design with Modular Chassis
Electric vehicles typically weigh more than diesel ones, limiting their payload under regulatory constraints. To address this, GAC Commercial Vehicle focused on weight reduction during development. Lightweight design and redundancy elimination reduced the cabin weight by 280kg. Modular chassis construction and extensive use of aluminum alloys further cut 780kg from the chassis, resulting in a 400 kWh dual-drive version weighing just 8.9 tons. This allows for increased payload while maintaining energy efficiency.
The T9 uses in-house developed three-electric systems, with a current battery option of 400 kWh LFP and plans for a 600 kWh long-range version. It operates on a 600VDC high-voltage platform, features IGBT-controlled modules, and includes adaptive energy recovery and advanced thermal management for improved efficiency, keeping energy consumption at ≤1.1 kWh/km.
The 6×4 drivetrain includes oil-cooled flat-wire motors capable of withstanding up to 35,000 Nm of torque with 92% efficiency. The lightweight axle design reduces the single axle weight to just 813kg.
To further reduce drag and enhance aesthetics, the T9 includes hub covers.
The T9 also features a steer-by-wire chassis with decoupled components, enabling L2+ intelligent driving features such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and highway autopilot. These technologies reduce driver fatigue and enhance safety.
Editor’s Note
GAC has made a strong entry into the new energy commercial vehicle industry, and its first independently developed product is already among the best in the sector. With plans for the T9 extending to 2030, GAC Commercial Vehicle leverages its mature passenger car new energy technology to bring more advanced products to the market.
