What you need to know:
- Windrose has released an updated U.S. zero-emissions trucking map showing Class 8 battery-electric truck routes across Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas, focused on major interstate corridors.
- The Windrose R700 received EPA certificate of conformity, confirming electric semi truck emissions compliance, as the company advances U.S. production plans and global manufacturing expansion.
- The Windrose R700 vs Tesla Semi comparison highlights 729 kWh battery capacity, megawatt charging, 420-mile electric truck range, and Class 8 performance specifications.
- Real-world electric truck testing demonstrated strong results, including cross-country electric semi performance, NACFE Run on Less data, MCS and CCS charging, and open Windrose R700 reservations.
Windrose has released an updated U.S. zero-emissions trucking map detailing current coverage in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas for its Class 8 R700 battery-electric semi truck.
The map, pictured below, displays "all of the routes we cover today, including I-5, I-10, I-15 and I-35," states Windrose founder, chairman, and CEO Wen Han in a LinkedIn post.
A map showcasing Windrose's U.S. route validation to date on the I-5, I-10, I-15 and I-35 corridors.Windrose via LinkedIn
"Happy holidays and buckle up for a series of collaborations that we will announce with charging partners to help reduce (or eliminate) the cost of EV truck charging to help customers get started," Han continued.
The bulk of Windrose's U.S. operations, for now, clearly remain in the Southwest though this is expected to change.
Windrose's big plans
Windrose confirmed nearly a year ago it received the certificate of conformity from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meaning the R700 has met the government agency's fuel economy and emissions requirements.
Knowing that, what about a production start and delivery dates?
Speaking to Clean Trucking at ACT 2025, Mr. Han stated that production was set to get underway in Q3 of this year in California, but this has clearly been delayed, which is not surprising nor unexpected for a young company.
As a global manufacturer, Windrose, founded in 2022, has a production site in Antwerp, Belgium for EU-bound semis. Final assembly for the Asian and Oceania markets takes place in those regions.
Mr. Han added that the company is "looking to build a bigger site in France and then a bigger site in the U.S. We're down to a small number of sections or a small number of states, [including] Canada. Now it's just a matter of which one we find to be the best match."
Major components, including the chassis, e-axles, batteries, and suspension are expected to be manufactured in China.
Windrose vs Tesla
The Windrose R700 is equipped with a 729 kWh battery, an 800V high-voltage platform capable of megawatt-level dual-inlet charging, and a loaded autonomous range of around 420 miles with a gross weight of 98,000 lbs. A base price of around $250,000 is expected.
To compare, the Tesla Semi, due to begin series production in 2026, boasts a choice of two battery sizes (500 and 800 kWh), a 1,000V powertrain charging system, a maximum 500-mile range, and a gross weight of 82,000 lbs. Tesla has not announced final pricing.
[Related: Check out the Windrose inside and out; the Tesla Semi's best competitor?]
Windrose R700 hits the road
Earlier this year Windrose joined forces with Phoenix, Ariz.-based JoyRide Logistics and EO Charging, resulting in the release of real-world performance results that are no doubt impressive.
The truck had previously demonstrated very impressive capabilities, achieving an estimated 420-mile range on a single charge and completing a 2,800-mile U.S. cross-country trip using only public charging stations.
It also successfully completed a full-route validation covering 578 miles round trip (289 miles one way), from Colton, California, to Buckeye, Arizona.
During the NACFE Run on Less event, held from September 8 to 30, 2025, live telematics data showed that the R700 spent most of its time driving (65.9%), with smaller portions inactive (25.3%), idling (7.05%), and charging (1.77%), highlighting efficient utilization.
It successfully used both a Megawatt Charging System (MCS) and Combined Charging System (CCS) chargers, reaching charging speeds of up to 738 kW at Greenlane sites. Despite its advanced electric systems, the truck maintained Class 8 performance with a curb weight under 26,000 pounds—some reports noting it below 24,000 pounds—allowing it to carry competitive payloads.
Windrose R700 reservations are open
Windrose is currently accepting U.S. reservations for its long-range R700 semi (670 km/416 miles) through its official website. A $15,000 deposit per truck is required, excluding taxes.
The reservation page further states that deliveries are due "by 2026Q1, in [the] United States, Asia, Europe, Oceania, etc."
