DFSK K01He

The DFSK K01He is a fully electric mini truck derived from DFSK's K01 mini truck series, serving as one of the brand's key strategic models in expanding its new energy commercial vehicle footprint abroad. Distinct from the domestic market's core petrol-powered K01 and K01H models, the K01He is engineered primarily for European markets, where it is distributed by DFSK in either CKD (Completely Knocked Down) or CBU (Completely Built-Up) formats. As of June 2026, the model is on sale across multiple European countries including Spain, Portugal, and Croatia, offered as a single cab electric pick-up truck tailored for short-haul zero-emission duties such as municipal services, landscaping transport, and road maintenance. The core appeal of the K01He lies in its zero emissions, quiet operation, low running costs, and a maximum payload capacity of up to 900 kg, positioning it as an eco-friendly workhorse for urban last-mile delivery and council operations.

Design Language

Visually, the K01He shares significant styling cues with the DFSK Wenfa series sold in Taiwan, carrying over the signature mini truck design language of the K01 family. Its dimensions measure 3,910 mm in length, 1,560 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height, with a 2,760 mm wheelbase—placing it squarely in the compact mini truck class, ideal for negotiating tight urban alleys and narrow streets. The front fascia adopts a clean, utilitarian aesthetic, sporting a heavy-duty black plastic front bumper paired with halogen headlamps without superfluous styling flourishes, embodying a no-nonsense "form follows function" philosophy. The single cab configuration prioritises practical utility, offering expansive glass areas for excellent driver visibility when working at low speeds in confined spaces. At the rear, the open flatbed can be adapted in length and width to suit specific commercial duties, while the tail section can be customised with purpose-built equipment such as tipper bodies or hydraulic crane arms for municipal tree-trimming and landscape deliveries. The exterior is predominantly finished in light hues like white, suited for commercial fleets prioritising dirt resistance and effortless upkeep. Overall, the vehicle eschews style-driven gimmicks in favor of low maintenance costs and dependable everyday durability.

Powertrain and Performance

The electric drivetrain is what sets the K01He apart from its petrol-powered K01 sibling. Power comes from an AC electric motor operating at a rated voltage of 72V to 80V, generating a maximum output of 9 kW (approximately 12 hp) and a peak torque of 150 Nm. The braking setup incorporates regenerative braking, recovering kinetic energy during deceleration and braking to replenish the traction battery and maximise driving range. Energy is supplied by a 15 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) battery pack. Renowned for its extended cycle life, high thermal stability, and robust safety credentials, LiFePO₄ chemistry is ideally matched to the heavy charge-discharge cycles typical of commercial duty. On a full charge, the K01He achieves a maximum driving range of around 120 km (under relevant European test cycles). Charging is handled via a standard 220V AC 16A domestic/industrial socket, requiring roughly 4 hours for a full top-up; DC fast charging is not supported. Top speed is capped at 65 km/h, aligning perfectly with its low-speed urban mandate across municipal sanitation, neighbourhood couriers, and industrial estate patrols. Compared to domestic-market electric mini trucks like the Ruichi EC31 (60 kW motor, 38.7 kWh battery, 215 km WLTP range), the K01He is more entry-level in power and range, relying on its exceptionally low purchase price and operating expenses to serve light commercial fleets where affordability trumps long-range capability.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the K01He employs a front-mid-motor, rear-wheel-drive configuration built on the petrol K01’s rugged body-on-frame platform and ladder-frame chassis, delivering ample structural rigidity even under unladen conditions. Up front, it features MacPherson strut independent suspension for direct steering response and ride comfort, while the rear relies on a heavy-duty multi-leaf spring rigid axle setup designed to provide robust longitudinal support, ensuring rear-axle stability and load-hauling integrity when fully laden. Braking is managed by a dual-circuit hydraulic servo-assisted setup comprising front ventilated discs and rear drums—a proven setup in the mini truck segment that balances braking performance against long-term maintenance costs; it rides on 165/80 R13 tyres. With a maximum payload of 900 kg, it easily meets the daily demands of road maintenance crews and last-mile logistics, even if it falls short of larger commercial trucks like the petrol C31. The steering system uses a purely mechanical rack without electric power assistance, delivering a weightier helm but honest, direct road feedback, strictly in keeping with commercial fleet demands for mechanical simplicity and cost control.

Cabin and Equipment

The interior of the K01He is unashamedly functional, finished with hard-wearing black plastics designed for effortless cleaning and durability. The standard single cab layout accommodates two occupants, with fabric-upholstered seats providing adequate support for daily shifts, though creature comforts remain Spartan. The instrument cluster relies on conventional analogue dials displaying essential readouts including vehicle speed, battery state of charge, and remaining range. A two-spoke plastic steering wheel is fitted without multifunction switches. The centre console is minimalist, housing standard essentials such as a basic radio unit, USB connectivity, and manual air conditioning, omitting any touchscreen infotainment system. Given the K01He's role as a dedicated municipal and short-haul cargo hauler, its cabin focuses strictly on ruggedness and functionality, omitting lifestyle tech such as reverse cameras or smartphone mirroring. The rear cargo bed, meanwhile, can be tailored with optional additions such as hydraulic tail lifts, enclosed box bodies, gardening tool brackets, and crane modules to cater to varied vocational needs.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety specifications on the K01He are engineered to comply with baseline European commercial vehicle regulations. On the passive safety front, the heavy-duty ladder-frame chassis and rigid body-on-frame structure form the primary crash protection zone for the cabin; the driver gets a three-point seatbelt, while the passenger seat is fitted with a two-point or three-point seatbelt depending on production batch, with airbags omitted from standard specification. Active safety features include standard ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) to ensure predictable vehicle stability under heavy braking loads. The regenerative braking system doubles as an auxiliary retarder during deceleration, easing the load on the mechanical brakes under specific operating conditions. The vehicle does not feature Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as adaptive cruise control or lane keep assist, keeping the tech package straightforward. For a low-speed municipal vehicle, the K01He’s core safety relies on its proven chassis integrity and stringent European homologation standards.

Market Performance and Reception

The K01He stands as an early pioneer of Chinese new energy commercial vehicles entering the European market. It has proven its real-world capability with various municipal authorities across Spain and Portugal, notably being selected as an official service vehicle for the historic city of Ávila in Spain, assisting in local municipal and heritage conservation efforts. In 2018, the municipality of Jaén, Spain, placed a fleet order for five K01He units for road maintenance operations; that same year, a customised K01He was showcased at the Iberflora trade fair, highlighting its versatility in municipal landscaping and nursery transport. In Croatia, the K01He has likewise been introduced under DFSK's electric commercial vehicle portfolio. From a strategic perspective, the K01He is a pivotal element of DFSK’s commercial vehicle lineup in the Iberian Peninsula, complementing the petrol K01, K01H extended cab pick-up truck, C31 single cab pick-up truck, and EC35 electric panel van to offer a comprehensive light commercial vehicle range spanning petrol, electric, pick-up, and van formats. Compared with the brand's larger EC31 (215 km WLTP range, 1,280 kg payload), the K01He uses a more compact battery and lower power rating to deliver rock-bottom acquisition costs and faster charging cycles, perfectly targeted at European inner-city operations demanding low speeds, short routes, and frequent stop-start cycles. As a trailblazer in DFSK’s global EV push, the K01He’s true value extends beyond sales numbers, having earned the brand valuable operational experience and fleet credibility within mature European markets.