Serco Advances Electric Truck Innovation with Purpose‑Built Bodies for the South African Market

South African truck and trailer body builder Serco continues to position itself at the forefront of next‑generation transport solutions through the successful design and manufacture of rigid truck bodies for a leading global electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer—marking an important milestone in the evolution of electric commercial vehicles in South Africa.

The project involved the construction of three rigid dry‑freight truck bodies for an OEM manufacturer who recently introduced a range of electric trucks for the local market. The builds were completed at Serco’s Johannesburg facility using lightweight construction techniques specifically developed to maximise vehicle efficiency, usable payload, and operating range—key considerations for fleet operators deploying battery‑electric trucks.

SANY Trucks currently offers one of the most comprehensive electric heavy-duty truck line-ups available in South Africa, covering a range of applications across local transport, logistics and specialized operations.

According to Avinash Singh, Director of Sales and Marketing (SA Business Unit) for Electric Vehicles at SANY Trucks in Johannesburg, Serco was selected following a rigorous evaluation process.

“We approached Serco because we regard them as one of South Africa’s leading vehicle body builders,” said Singh. “This was our first collaboration with Serco following the launch of our rigid electric truck range locally, and the quality of the builds has met our expectations. We are certainly considering additional orders as our footprint grows.”

The completed vehicles include single‑skin van bodies and a tautliner, featuring LED interior strip lighting and rear doors fitted with Delta locking handles—solutions selected to improve visibility, ergonomics, security, and day‑to‑day operational efficiency for fleet operators transitioning to electric vehicles.

Singh noted that the local EV truck market is expanding rapidly, supported by improving charging infrastructure, increasing vehicle range, and growing awareness of total cost of ownership benefits across various transport applications.

Serco CEO Clinton Holcroft said the collaboration reflects the company’s investment and capability to deliver EV‑ready body design and scalable manufacturing processes, developed with fleet performance and long‑term reliability in mind.

“We are seeing growing interest in electric trucks across multiple sectors,” said Holcroft. “In response, we have developed lightweight, efficient body construction solutions that help fleet operators maximise range and payload without compromising durability. At the same time, we offer a wide selection of modern accessories and technologies that allow transporters to configure vehicles precisely to their operational requirements.”

Serco’s EV‑focused body solutions include LED interior and exterior lighting, ergonomic and secure rear‑door locking systems, fast‑opening curtain mechanisms for tautliners, and eco‑friendly internal wear strips for van bodies—designed to reduce operating effort, improve safety, and extend body life while lowering environmental impact.

Importantly, Holcroft emphasised that Serco’s innovation strategy is aimed at supporting transporters through practical, future‑ready solutions and sustainable manufacturing processes, enabling the broader adoption of electric mobility across South Africa.

“We are proud to have been selected for this project and remain ready to offer flexible, future‑ready body solutions backed by national after‑sales support.”

That support includes dedicated after‑sales facilities in Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha, ensuring fleet operators benefit from reliable service, reduced downtime, and consistent support throughout the vehicle lifecycle.

As the commercial transport sector continues its shift toward electrification and cleaner technologies, Serco’s investment in innovation, lightweight engineering, and technical adaptability reinforces its role as a trusted partner for fleet operators—and as a leading body builder for the electric trucks of the future.

Caption: Two of the newly built SANY electric vehicles built in Serco’s Johannesburg factory.