CATL promises 1,000 km of range for electric trucks with its new battery
CATL has just unveiled a new generation of batteries designed for electric trucks. Named Tectrans II, this technology promises up to 1,000 kilometers of range, an 80% charge in 25 minutes, and a service life of up to 1.5 million kilometers. That’s impressive!
To convince transport companies to switch to electric vehicles, reducing CO2 emissions alone isn’t enough. A truck must first be able to travel long distances, carry as much cargo as possible, and spend as little time stopped as needed. It is on these criteria that CATL aims to make progress with Tectrans II, a technology presented in Hanover.
Up to 1,000 kilometers between charges
In its most generous configuration, Tectrans II would allow an electric truck to travel up to 1,000 km on a single charge. Currently, no electric truck reaches this level. However, CATL does not specify either the battery capacity required to achieve this figure or the conditions under which this range was calculated.
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The Chinese manufacturer relies on a modular architecture made up of standardized modules. This allows manufacturers to adjust the amount of batteries according to the vehicle’s needs, balancing factors such as range and payload capacity. This modularity is also adopted by our European manufacturers, Renault, Volvo, and Mercedes.
Still running on battery power, CATL claims an energy density of 170 Wh/kg. At equivalent capacity, the company estimates this advancement could result in about 600 kg more payload compared to a conventional battery.
10-80% charge in 25 minutes
But range is only part of the equation. Diesel currently has a clear advantage: just a few minutes are needed to refuel. Tectrans II aims to narrow this gap through charging at a power level in the megawatt range. CATL claims its battery can reach 80% charge in 25 minutes.
A performance like this could facilitate the use of electric trucks for long-distance travel, provided, of course, that there are infrastructure systems capable of delivering such power. It is now both the deployment of charging stations for heavy vehicles and the batteries themselves that will determine the actual feasibility of operation.
Designed to cover 1.5 million km
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CATL finally aims to reassure transporters about battery longevity. The heavy-duty battery is promised to last 12 years or 1.5 million kilometers, with a guarantee to retain at least 70% of its initial capacity. On paper, Tectrans II has everything it needs to succeed. We’re eager to see how it performs in real conditions.