CATL and Peterbilt introduce new electric heavy-duty truck solutions

CATL has unveiled a dual-electric range extension battery system designed to improve the practicality and economy of electric heavy-duty trucks. The system utilizes a “1+X” architecture, combining a standardized, chassis-mounted swappable battery pack from CATL’s QIJI Energy network with a secondary range-extension battery. This setup allows the main battery to be discharged to less than 5% state of charge, as the range-extension battery takes over power delivery within milliseconds. This approach enables fleets to lease main batteries seasonally to reduce costs while keeping the range-extension battery for the vehicle's entire service life.

In the United States, Peterbilt has expanded its cooperative purchasing agreement with Sourcewell through July 2028. This agreement provides over 50,000 member organizations, including state and municipal fleets, with streamlined access to Peterbilt’s lineup of Class 5-8 medium- and heavy-duty battery electric trucks. The contract features pre-negotiated pricing and terms, intended to bypass lengthy competitive bidding processes for public agencies looking to electrify their fleets.