The Stuttgart-based automotive expert organization Dekra is partnering with the Chinese manufacturer of long-distance electric trucks, Windrose. According to the safety experts in their press release, the goal of the two companies is to "advance safe electrification and automation in mobility." This will be achieved by transferring the patented Dekra battery test to Windrose's electric trucks. The solution will encompass not only battery tests but also vehicle safety tests.
Windrose was founded in China three years ago. According to reports, the company can look back on more than eight years of development work in the field of electric trucks, which has resulted in more than 290 patents to date. Both companies are active worldwide. In 2024, Dekra, founded in Berlin in 1925, conducted around 32 million vehicle inspections worldwide. There is particularly high demand for their patented Dekra battery quick test for electric cars recently.
However, the test experts have several irons in the fire when it comes to e-mobility. Recently, product testing centers specifically for electric vehicles were built in the USA and another in Germany.
A year ago, Windrose launched its EV Truck with a range of 670 kilometers and is presently active primarily in Europe, the USA, New Zealand, and China. Through the
collaboration, the still young company will be able to benefit from the global Dekra network "to meet regional and international safety standards," as it is stated. The offering of automotive safety experts includes testing and inspection services as well as training for truck manufacturers.
"As part of the new collaboration, Dekra and Windrose will work together on key aspects of safety in electrified and automated transport systems,"
according to the Dekra press release. One path to this goal involves increasing safety in electromobility through particularly high standards, which should apply to battery performance and the reduction of fire risks, so that energy storage systems can ensure safe and reliable operation.
Strict Standards
Part of the collaboration will consist of rigorous vehicle safety tests and evaluations, which should comply with NCAP guidelines among other industry standards to ensure consumer protection. The testing organization only received accreditation to apply the Euro NCAP evaluation method at the beginning of 2025. Another goal of the cooperation is to apply the patented battery quick test to determine the health status of drive batteries to electric trucks, as it is mentioned. A similar solution, which has been continuously optimized since its introduction, was brought to market in 2020 by the Austrian provider
Aviloo.
Dekra lists on its website for which cars the battery test is already suitable. With the method, individual vehicle types are tested under a wide range of conditions, and baseline data is determined. Using a patented algorithm and artificial intelligence, the data is then evaluated to provide more accurate information on the "health status" of the drive battery.
Further Development of Automation
However, the partnership also has further goals: measures are to be developed for automated vehicles, optimizing the reliability of driver assistance systems (ADAS) for these driverless trucks. They aim to "increase road safety through comprehensive tests and validations," as stated. The Stuttgart-based automotive testing experts are already involved in this field: They provided their expertise in the testing of automated mobility in the recently completed Laurin research project.
Another component of the cooperation involves further development of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) connectivity. The term describes the communication or networking of a vehicle with its entire environment, a fundamental function especially for autonomous vehicles.
Globally Promoting Sustainable Mobility Solutions
This aims for seamless communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and other road users, ensuring the "intelligent" traffic system possesses the necessary safety for such applications. Both companies wish to promote the global enforcement of electromobility through this approach.
As stated in the Dekra press release:
"By combining Dekra's proven testing facilities and regulatory expertise with Windrose's innovative approach, the collaboration aims to accelerate the introduction of safe and sustainable mobility solutions worldwide."
Moreover, they will work with local authorities, regulatory bodies, and industry players to enforce harmonized safety standards in different markets. As mentioned, they want to contribute "to the seamless implementation of the latest advances in electrification and automation on a global scale."
Background Information
The three-axle Windrose EV Truck, introduced a year ago, which is considered a competitor to the 2022-released U.S. Tesla Semi, can be loaded with 30 tons. A 729 kWh battery pack is supposed to enable ranges of up to 670 kilometers.
For comparison: the Tesla Semi achieved around 800 kilometers of range upon its introduction, with a permissible total weight of about 36 tons and a tractor unit weight of around 10 tons. The permissible total weight of the Windrose truck is stated to be 49 tons, with a tractor unit weight of around 10.2 tons. Just a few months ago, Windrose, which has branches in China, Europe, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, introduced what is reportedly the first electric long-distance truck with a sleeper cab into
