Buyer takeaway: KT5M and KT5J are listed as 4x2, 18 t GVW electric cargo platforms with 262 or 310 kWh battery options. The long and short wheelbases serve different body-length and access requirements. Select the completed vehicle from cargo volume, payload, route and auxiliary energy, not from body length alone.
Where KT5M and KT5J fit
The KT5 family is intended for urban and regional cargo bodies including box, flatbed and specialist applications. At 18 t reference GVW, it sits above light last-mile vans and below the 31 t KTH 8x4 range. Typical planning cases include warehouse-to-store distribution, industrial parts movement, parcel routes, food delivery and scheduled regional work that returns to a known depot.
The strongest electric-truck application is a measurable duty cycle. Buyers should know the loaded and empty kilometres, stop count, average payload, maximum payload, loading time, return time and available charging window. City traffic can create frequent acceleration, while regional roads may add sustained speed. Both affect energy demand differently.
Verified KT5M / KT5J reference data
| Version | Layout / GVW | Battery | Motor | Wheelbase | Body reference | Charging |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard wheelbase | 4x2 / 18 t | 262 / 310 kWh | 150 / 270 kW rated / peak | 7,150 mm | 7.7-9.8 m | GB |
| Short wheelbase | 4x2 / 18 t | 262 / 310 kWh | 150 / 270 kW rated / peak | 5,000 mm | 6.8-7.7 m | GB |
Both catalogue references list a four-speed electric drive axle, DF451S front axle, STEA39000Z rear axle, 275/80R22.5-18PR tyres and EBS. These are reference specifications and must be confirmed for the ordered model and market. View the full Dongfeng electric cargo truck range.
Choose wheelbase and body as one package
Box body
A box body should be sized from pallet count, cargo density, loading method and delivery access. A longer body can add volume but also changes rear overhang, kerb mass, axle loads and turning behaviour. Low-density parcels may need volume; dense industrial cargo may reach legal mass before the body is full. Confirm interior length and door arrangement with the body builder rather than treating the catalogue body range as a finished-vehicle promise.
Refrigerated body
Refrigeration adds insulation, equipment mass and auxiliary energy demand. Record required cargo temperature, ambient temperature, door openings, pre-cooling method, route duration and whether the refrigeration unit draws from the vehicle or another energy source. That auxiliary demand must be included in the shift energy budget. No fixed range should be quoted until the reefer system and route are defined.
Urban multi-stop delivery
The 5,000 mm wheelbase reference and 6.8-7.7 m body range may suit projects where access and manoeuvrability carry more weight than maximum body length. The 7,150 mm reference supports a longer 7.7-9.8 m body envelope. Final choice still depends on turning space, dock dimensions, axle loading and completed-vehicle approval.
Build the duty cycle before selecting 262 or 310 kWh
Battery choice should follow measured route energy. Separate loaded, partially loaded and empty legs. Include stop frequency, road speed, elevation, congestion, cab climate control and any body auxiliary. Add an operating reserve for detours, queues and weather. Nominal battery capacity is not the same as energy that the fleet should plan to consume every day.
A route with many short stops may have different consumption and scheduling pressure from a regional run with fewer stops. The important output is energy per shift and the time available to replace it. If multiple trucks return together, charger scheduling and site demand may become more important than the difference between two battery options.
Plan depot charging and loading together
The listed KT5M / KT5J reference uses a GB charging interface. Confirm the exact connector, communication standard and charger compatibility before production. Map when the truck is physically available: loading, washing, maintenance and driver checks can shorten the nominal overnight window.
For a multi-vehicle depot, record each return time and next dispatch. A charging-management system can stagger demand, but the transformer, switchgear, cables, protection and parking layout must support the fleet. Include a spare-bay or recovery procedure so one unavailable charger does not stop the next day's routes.
Payload, body mass and axle loads
GVW is not payload. The usable payload is the approved gross vehicle weight minus chassis, body, refrigeration equipment, driver, fluids and installed options. Ask the body builder for a weight estimate and axle-load calculation before fixing dimensions. Heavy tail lifts, side doors, refrigeration units and long rear overhangs can shift loads even when total mass appears acceptable.
Confirm docking height, floor height, door type, restraint points, tail-lift power, spare wheel and underbody clearances. Battery protection and service access must remain available after the body and accessories are installed.
Procurement information to send
- Country, registration category and required quantity.
- Cargo type, density, pallet count and maximum payload.
- Required internal body dimensions and door arrangement.
- Loaded, partial and empty kilometres per shift.
- Stops, dwell time, road speed, grade and temperature.
- Refrigeration or tail-lift specifications and energy source.
- Depot return time, next dispatch and charging window.
- Site power, charger connector and future fleet size.
Frequently asked questions
What body lengths are listed?
The 7,150 mm wheelbase reference lists 7.7-9.8 m bodies; the 5,000 mm wheelbase reference lists 6.8-7.7 m bodies.
Can KT5M or KT5J use a refrigerated body?
The platform can enter specialist-body planning, but reefer mass, auxiliary energy, axle loads and integration must be confirmed for the final vehicle.
Is 310 kWh always better than 262 kWh?
No. Select from route energy, payload priorities, charging window, reserve and site power.
Does 18 t GVW mean 18 t payload?
No. GVW includes the entire completed vehicle and load. Final payload requires a body weight and approval calculation.
Validate the route before fleet rollout
Run a representative trial with the intended body and payload distribution before scaling the fleet. Measure energy at the start and end of each route, note traffic and temperature, and separate driving energy from refrigeration or other auxiliaries where possible. Repeat the test on demanding days rather than relying on one favourable run. The result should define dispatch reserve, charging priority and which routes suit each battery option. Update the model whenever routes, customers, bodies or seasonal conditions change.