This year’s competition features a particularly strong field, which features electric drivelines, fuel-saving diesel innovations and refined powertrains. Here they are, in alphabetical order:
1. DAF XD / XF Electric
DAF’s latest all-electric offering – the XD Electric and XF Electric – stand out as a major step forward for zero-emission heavy goods vehicles. They offer modular battery packs from 210 kWh up to 525 kWh, and DAF say that zero-emission ranges can exceed 500 km in favourable conditions. The drivelines employ PACCAR EX-D1 and EX-D2 motors, with outputs from 170kW (230hp) up to 350kW (480hp), and even include a three-speed transmission for efficiency.
What makes this finalist special is how it doesn’t treat electrification as a niche journey – DAF aims to bring zero-emission technology into mainstream long-haul and distribution applications. The driver environment is also refined: good visibility, low cab position and strong bodybuilder-friendliness. In an era when compliance and sustainability matter ever more, the XD/XF Electric series represents a bold statement.
2. MAN D30 PowerLion
Not all finalists are electric: this nomination speaks to the internal-combustion engine’s continuing relevance, albeit in a much more efficient form. The MAN D30 PowerLion is a new generation 13-litre inline six-cylinder diesel powertrain offering efficiency figures above 50% thermal efficiency and fuel-savings of around 4–5% compared to the earlier D26 engine. That may sound modest, but in the long-haul sector it translates into substantial reductions in fuel cost and emissions. Moreover, MAN pairs the engine with its TipMatic 14 automated transmission and various aerodynamic and chassis refinements.
The significance of this finalist is that it demonstrates diesel still has a role to play – especially where electric isn’t yet viable – if it’s developed smartly. In regions or applications where charging infrastructure or duty cycles remain challenging, the D30 PowerLion offers a sensible bridge to more efficient operations.
3. MAN eTGS
This is MAN’s battery-electric heavy-duty offering, targeted at distribution and special applications. According to MAN, the eTGS has a usable battery capacity up to 480kWh (or more, depending on variant) and can cover around 500–750km in regional use without interim charging. It’s engineered for versatility: from rigid bodies to semitrailers, waste collection to refrigerated work. The driver environment and electrified architecture give quiet, smooth operation and lower operating costs.
What makes this truck stand out in the finalist list is its role as a real-world electric heavy-duty candidate, not just urban delivery. It signals that heavy transport electrification is moving beyond experiments into mainstream availability.
4. SANY e435
Originating from China and increasingly targeting European markets, the SANY e435 is a fully electric heavy-duty truck (8x4) aimed at construction, municipal or heavy-load work. It features a battery capacity of roughly 350kWh, a peak output around 405kW, and a range of around 300km in real-world work conditions. With a gross weight up to 38 tonnes and a kerb weight of about 12 tonnes in some configurations, the vehicle offers high flexibility for body variants and attachments.
What gives the e435 its nomination edge is the way it brings electric technology into traditionally very demanding applications. If operators can deploy emission-free trucks on construction and heavy-haul tasks, the sustainability implications are significant.
5. Scania Super 11
Last but not least, Scania’s Super 11 litre engine represents a fresh approach to diesel power in a lighter, more efficient format. The new engine delivers power options of 350hp, 390hp and 430hp, with torques of 1,800 to 2,200Nm. Importantly, it is about 85kg lighter than the Super 13 engine it shares architecture with, and up to 7% more fuel-efficient than the 9-litre alternative. For operators focused on flexibility, weight-sensitive applications and cost-efficiency, the Super 11 is an appealing fit.
What makes this finalist special is that it recognises evolutionary rather than purely revolutionary change – optimising diesel rather than dismissing it entirely.
Which one will win?
The five finalists highlight a dual theme: electrification is advancing rapidly, but efficient internal-combustion powertrains still have a valid place – especially in applications where infrastructure, duty cycle or cost mean zero-emission is not yet universally viable. The DAF XD/XF Electric and MAN eTGS point to a future where battery power is genuinely viable in heavier transport. Meanwhile, the MAN D30 PowerLion and Scania Super 11 show that premium diesel engineering is far from finished. The SANY e435 introduces a fresh entrant pretty much tailored to demanding niche applications with electric technology.
According to the International Truck of the Year rules, the annual award goes to the truck launched in the previous 12 months, which makes the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. The judging is based on a number of critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, energy efficiency, environmental footprint, and total cost of ownership (TCO).
Will that truck be a DAF, MAN, SANY or Scania? Will it have an internal combustion engine or an electric motor? Stay tuned to see which of these five will be crowned International Truck of the Year for 2026!
