Chinese electric truck manufacturer Windrose, whose European base is located in the Flemish town of Zele, has cleared a major milestone: the company has obtained all certificates required for
its vehicles to operate on public roads across the European Union. CEO Wen Han says he also expects to sign the final concession agreement for a planned assembly plant in Antwerp before the end of the year.
The certification process confirms the trucks meet all technical and legal EU standards. “Over the past 44 months, many people said we would never achieve homologation because of our unique design,” Han noted. “Some experts claimed we didn’t understand how to build an electric truck.”
Despite the skepticism, Han maintains that Windrose’s model fills a clear market niche. “Our truck won’t be the perfect fit for everyone, but for long-distance transport — up to 670 kilometres with heavy loads — it is currently the best option in its price category of 250,000 euros,” he said.
Windrose, which also sponsors the Antwerp Giants basketball team, is preparing for its first Belgian test drive. The company is expected to partner with Flemish transport firm Gilbert De Clercq, with the trial likely to take place around Christmas.
The company established its European headquarters in Zele last year and aims to begin assembling Chinese-made components in Antwerp starting in 2026. However, financial backing for the project has proven challenging. At the end of 2024, Flemish investment fund PMV ruled out investing after reviewing the company’s figures — a decision later echoed by the federal investment fund SFPIM. Employers’ organisation Voka said the government had made the right call by thoroughly assessing the proposal.
Han has since insisted that the project remains on track, telling Gazet Van Antwerpen that he has already secured about 350 million dollars from private investors and banks. Beyond Belgium, the CEO is also exploring expansion in France, where he aims to establish a full-scale production plant in Onnaing. Photo by truckinginfo.com