CATL announces a battery for electric trucks offering a range of up to 1,000 kilometers

At the IAA Transportation fair in Hannover, CATL presented its new battery solution Tectrans II, designed above all for heavy-duty electric transport, although it can also be used in medium-duty trucks and buses. The system is offered in different housing formats and can be mounted on the floor or the roof of the vehicle. The company has insisted that the main goal is long-haul transport, where range, charging times and operating costs stand out.

In its maximum configuration, CATL claims the set can travel up to 1,000 kilometers, although the homologation cycle has not yet been specified. With megawatt-level charging, the battery would reach 80 percent in around 25 minutes. The packs are designed to be combined with both central transmissions and electric axles and, in theory, could also be installed as a swappable battery. This last option fits with CATL’s experience in the battery swapping business in China and with plans to bring that model to Europe in partnership with Octopus Energy.

A notable aspect is the standardization of modules, electrical interfaces and communication protocols. Thanks to this, manufacturers could incorporate future generations of batteries without having to profoundly redesign their vehicle platforms, an important point in a sector where technology is advancing rapidly.

Greater payload for the same range

The energy density of this new battery stands at 170 Wh/kg, according to CATL, 13 percent above the industry average. With the same capacity as a conventional battery, this would translate into about 600 extra kilos of payload. The manufacturer speaks of a service life of 12 years or 1.5 million kilometers while retaining 70% of its capacity. Among the technical novelties are a more robust corrosion protection system and a more stable base plate. CATL has not revealed the cell chemistry, although it is reasonable to think the system may be based on either LFP or NMC, two technologies the Chinese company masters.

At the same fair, CATL signed a letter of intent with DHL Group to drive green freight corridors in Europe. The agreement expands the understanding reached in September 2024 and covers energy storage systems and management platforms for DHL’s logistics hubs, as well as battery swapping stations, ultra-fast charging and pilot projects with electric vehicles.