The port tractor market holds great potential for the shift from fuel to electric vehicles. Based on the current trends of local subsidies, new energy subsidies, and vehicle replacement policies, users in many port cities are phasing out National III and National IV emission-standard models to replace them with electric tractors for port container transportation.
Although the configuration of vehicles used for port tractor transportation is not as high as that of logistics models, significant attention is still paid to chassis design, power matching, and other aspects. A tractor tailored specifically for port transportation can also double the efficiency of container truck (container hauler) operations.
At the site of Yutong Heavy-Duty Truck’s full-scenario launch event, the author saw a Yutong T400 port-version electric tractor designed exclusively for port transportation. Compared with port tractor models from other brands, Yutong’s port version has obvious advantages in container truck transportation.
Underfloor Battery Enables Flexible Wheelbase, Lightweight Design Boosts Load Capacity
The Yutong T400 port version is equipped with a 400kWh underfloor battery. Compared with traditional rear-mounted batteries, the underfloor battery can effectively reduce the wheelbase and avoid accidental battery collisions during container lifting and lowering operations.
Container truck transportation inherently involves short-distance travel. In the standard wheelbase configuration, the underfloor battery can accommodate a maximum of 400kWh, providing a range of 300 kilometers—sufficient for the medium-short distance transportation needs of container trucks.
The Yutong T400 port version has an overall length of 6,750mm, a 4X2 drive configuration, and a wheelbase of 4,200mm. For rear-mounted battery models to maintain the same turning radius as this vehicle, their wheelbases would need to be in the range of 5,000mm to 5,300mm; otherwise, “7-shaped berthing” (a common port maneuver where the truck aligns parallel to the dock in an L-shape) would be extremely challenging.
Wheelbase is a crucial parameter for port tractors: a shorter wheelbase means higher vehicle maneuverability. Tasks such as loading/unloading in villages, berthing at factories, U-turning on narrow roads, and reversing in tight sections are all troublesome for long-wheelbase vehicles. The Yutong T400 port version can make a turn in one go, which may not be possible for other long-wheelbase electric tractors.
Port tractor operations require cost control and do not demand overly sophisticated technology. Therefore, the Yutong T400 port version still uses a central drive system, with a powertrain consisting of Yutong’s self-developed permanent magnet synchronous motor and Fast 6E240 transmission. The motor has a rated power of 330kW and a peak power of 480kW. Benefiting from the high-torque output characteristics of electric motors, electric tractors can already fully match or even outperform some traditional fuel-powered port tractors in terms of power. With such power, handling “double-stacked containers” (two containers stacked vertically) or 45-foot heavy containers feels no different from hauling light cargo.
For port tractor scenarios, Yutong did not equip a fast axle; instead, it uses a Dana single-reduction axle with a 5.286 gear ratio. Port tractors frequently start and stop in suburban areas and cannot travel at high speeds even on highways. Using a high-ratio axle allows the vehicle to maintain sufficient torque at low speeds while ensuring energy efficiency. In other words, as long as the vehicle is not driven on highways, it will be very powerful and energy-efficient. However, drivers need to pay extra attention to energy consumption when traveling at high speeds on highways.
For a tractor with a 400kWh battery, Yutong has achieved a chassis curb weight of 8.6 tons—an excellent figure. Since the 400kWh battery alone accounts for 3 tons, the weight of the vehicle’s non-powered chassis is only 5.6 tons. Currently, conventional 400kWh 4X2 tractors generally weigh around 9 tons; being 0.5 tons lighter means the Yutong T400 can haul an additional 0.5 tons of cargo. Under the 43-ton load limit for 5-axle vehicles, it can carry up to 34.4 tons, making it suitable for transporting standard double-stacked containers on highways.
Professionally Optimized for Port Tractor Operations, with a Unique Cab
The Yutong T400 port-version tractor in the live shot features a high-roof cab. In the future, Yutong is expected to offer a flat-roof cab option for users seeking further lightweighting and cost control. The exhibition vehicle is painted red, which caters to the aesthetic preferences of many veteran port tractor drivers—after all, early port yards were dominated by red vehicles.
The rearview mirrors are integrated units, with the main mirror on top and the wide-angle mirror below. The mirror glass supports electric adjustment and heating functions, and the mirror housings are painted the same color as the vehicle body, enhancing the sense of premium quality.
It is equipped with projector headlights using LED light sources, which provide better illumination for night driving. Currently, most port tractors in this category still use halogen headlights, making the LED option a thoughtful feature.
The high-positioned bumper, exposed anti-drill beam at the bottom, and foldable foot pedals are designed to handle harsh road conditions—such as loading at rural factories or farms. The higher ground clearance prevents collisions with obstacles.
The deflector above the cab supports stepless adjustment, which can be operated via a crank. Although port containers are mostly standard-sized, if a non-standard 3.1-meter-tall container is used, the driver can raise the deflector to align the height of the cab with the container, reducing driving wind resistance.
The driver’s seat is an air-suspension seat with damping adjustment, height adjustment, ventilation, and heating functions. Unlike traditional fuel-powered heavy-duty trucks, electric heavy-duty trucks have no engine under the cab. This eliminates the raised floor (common in fuel trucks) and allows Yutong to adopt a flat-floor design, significantly increasing the internal cab space.
The steering wheel is a four-spoke multifunctional unit, with controls for cruise control, multimedia adjustment, and active safety system switches. The instrument panel is a digital LCD display, capable of showing more comprehensive information.
The gear selector is a column-mounted shifter, which is simple and intuitive to operate. Gears are switched via up/down toggles and inner paddles: toggling the lever up or down controls manual gear shifting. The logic and functions of electric vehicle shifting are relatively simple, making it easy for older drivers to master.
The air conditioning system uses an electric compressor and a multi-source heat pump, ensuring excellent cooling and heating performance throughout the year. In winter, the vehicle utilizes Yutong’s Ruikong E thermal cycle technology to recover the motor’s operating heat into the air conditioning heating system. This not only improves heating efficiency but also reduces the heat pump’s power consumption, minimizing energy loss when using the heater.
The cab features a single bunk design. Since electric port tractors are primarily used for medium-short distance transportation and most operations involve a single driver (99% of cases), a single bunk avoids waste and helps reduce vehicle weight. The bunk is also widened on both sides, with a maximum width of approximately 900mm.
Conclusion
Although port tractors serve a niche market, China’s vast coastline ensures significant market volume. In the current era of electrification transformation, the port tractor market truly needs electric vehicles that offer similar usability to traditional fuel trucks while delivering genuine cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
原创文章，作者：ctinsa，如若转载，请注明出处：https://www.ctinsa.com/truew/6857
