Choosing the right commercial vehicle for your business is more than just picking a brand or body type. Two numbers will define whether your vehicle works for you, or against you: Payload and Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Get these wrong, and you risk overloading your truck, voiding your insurance, or landing fines on Singapore’s roads. When managed well, your fleet operates more efficiently, safely, and intelligently.
What Is GVW? The Number That Sets the Limit
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) is the maximum total weight a vehicle is legally and mechanically permitted to carry when fully loaded. This includes the vehicle’s own weight (kerb weight), the driver and passengers, fuel, cargo, and any fitted accessories or body modifications.
Think of GVW as the ceiling: a hard limit set by the manufacturer and regulated by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore. Exceeding your vehicle’s GVW is a traffic offence and can result in heavy penalties, failed inspections, and accidents caused by brake or structural failure under excessive load.
What Is Payload? The Weight You Actually Carry
Payload is the usable carrying capacity of your vehicle: what you can safely load onto or into it after accounting for the vehicle’s own weight. It is calculated using a straightforward formula:
Payload = GVW − Kerb Weight
Take the BYD T35 as a real-world example. With a GVW of 3,700 kg and an unladen (kerb) weight of 1,760 kg for the standard open-deck configuration, its rated payload is 1,900 kg, sufficient for most urban delivery, F&B distribution, and light logistics operations. That payload must cover everything you load: goods, packaging, equipment, and the weight of your driver and passengers. This 1,760 kg kerb weight already includes the factory-fitted open deck body (it is not a bare chassis figure), so only aftermarket additions such as tail-lifts, canopies, or refrigeration units would reduce the 1,900 kg payload further.
Why the Difference Matters for Your Business
Many business owners assume that a high GVW automatically means high payload. That is not always the case. A heavier vehicle body, refrigeration units, tail-lifts, or other fitted accessories all reduce your net payload before a single item is loaded.
Choosing the correct truck body is equally important, as different body configurations can significantly affect your usable payload and operational efficiency. Read our guide: Which Truck Body Type Actually Fits Your Business?
For operators running refrigerated trucks or chiller trucks, the cold storage unit alone can add several hundred kilograms, dramatically reducing your actual cargo-carrying capacity. Knowing the net payload after deducting such equipment is essential before committing to a vehicle.
The BYD T35 addresses this smartly. Its unladen weight of just 1,760 kg (remarkably lean for a 3.7-tonne electric light-duty truck) leaves a generous 1,900 kg of usable payload. This is competitive with diesel equivalents, while delivering zero tailpipe emissions and significantly lower running costs.
Licence Class and GVW: Know Before You Drive
In Singapore, the vehicle class you are licensed to drive is tied directly to GVW thresholds, not payload capacity. Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) with a GVW of up to 3,500 kg can be driven on a Class 3 licence. Vehicles with GVW above 3,500 kg require a Class 4 or Class 5 licence.
The BYD T35 has a GVW of 3,700 kg, which places it in the Class 4 licence category. This is a key compliance point your fleet manager must verify before onboarding drivers. Always confirm licence requirements before committing to a vehicle lease or purchase.
With Singapore’s recent licence regulation updates, it’s also worth understanding the New Changes to Class 3 License before deciding on your next commercial vehicle.
Electric Trucks: Do Batteries Reduce Payload?
A common concern when switching to electric commercial vehicles is whether the added weight of battery packs eats into payload capacity. For earlier EV generations, this was a legitimate trade-off. Modern purpose-built electric trucks, however, are engineered to close the gap.
The BYD T35 uses BYD’s proprietary Blade Battery technology, a 62.36 kWh pack renowned for its structural integrity, thermal stability, and space efficiency. Despite delivering a 367 km range on a single charge, the T35’s open-deck kerb weight remains competitive at 1,760 kg, preserving a strong 1,900 kg payload. For Singapore’s urban delivery environment, this range comfortably handles multiple round-trip routes without mid-shift recharging.
BYD T35 Specifications at a Glance
Want the full technical breakdown to share with your fleet manager? Download the full spec sheet, or refer to the table below for a quick overview.
| Specification | BYD T35 (Y Plate) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) | 3,700 kg |
| Unladen (Kerb) Weight (open deck) | 1,760 kg |
| Payload | 1,900 kg |
| Overall Dimensions (LxWxH) | 5,000 x 1,780 x 1,995 mm |
| Rear Body (LxWxH) | 3,120 x 1,780 x 400 mm |
| Max. Power | 150 kW |
| Max. Torque | 340 Nm |
| Battery Type | BYD Blade Battery (62.36 kWh) |
| Range Per Full Charge | 367 km |
| DC Fast Charging (20–80%) | ≤ 0.6 hr (71 kW) |
| AC Charging (20–80%) | ≤ 6.6 hr (6.6 kW) |
| Seats (incl. driver) | 3 |
| HDB Carpark Compatible | Yes (Under 1.995 M height & under 1.76 T unladen) |
Choosing Right: Match Your Load to Your Vehicle
Before approaching any commercial vehicle dealer, calculate your typical load weight, factoring in your heaviest delivery day, not your average. Add the vehicle’s kerb weight and compare against the GVW. Leave a buffer of at least 10–15% to avoid consistently operating near the GVW ceiling, which accelerates wear on brakes, suspension, and tyres.
The BYD T35‘s HDB-friendly design (under 1.995m in height and under 1.76 tonnes unladen) allows entry into most HDB carparks, a significant operational advantage for last-mile deliveries across residential estates and urban zones in Singapore.
If you’re evaluating your next fleet investment, you may also find these resources helpful: High COE? Why Leasing Commercial Vehicles Makes Sense, and What Is a Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC)?
Choosing the right commercial vehicle starts with understanding GVW, kerb weight and payload. If you’re comparing a 10ft electric lorry, diesel van or planning a fleet upgrade, contact us or call/WhatsApp us at 9233 5858 for expert advice. For more fleet buying guides and commercial vehicle insights, explore our News & Insights page here.