CATL unveils dual-electric range extension battery for battery-swapping heavy trucks, with 13,000 units agreed at launch
By Eve
CATL has unveiled a dual-electric range extension battery for electric heavy-duty trucks, with agreements for 13,000 units signed at the unveiling. The system pairs a standardized, chassis-mounted swappable main pack from the QIJI Energy network with a 77 kWh range-extension battery behind the cab that supports 3C charging. CATL says the backup raises the main battery's depth of discharge from about 70% to over 95%, allowing it to be returned at less than 5% state of charge, with power switching to the range-extension battery within milliseconds.
Why it matters
The range-extension battery is independently owned and stays with the vehicle, while the main battery can be leased by season, which shifts how fleets and swap operators structure rental costs and utilisation. The 13,000-unit commitment signals early demand for hybrid swap and plug-in charging approaches in heavy trucking, relevant to anyone planning depot, swap or high-power charging capacity for this segment.
Source
- Original title
- “CATL unveils dual-electric range extension battery for battery-swapping heavy trucks”
- Published
- 3 November 2026
- Updated
- 4 November 2026
In this story
- Topic
- Electric Vehicles
- Place
- China
- Tag
- CATL
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