CATL unveils TECTRANS II modular battery platform for electric trucks

CATL has unveiled TECTRANS II, a new modular battery platform designed for heavy-duty electric trucks, at the IAA Transportation 2026 trade fair in Hannover. The system aims to address the challenges of long-haul electrification by offering a range of up to 1,000 kilometers in its highest configuration.

The platform utilizes a modular approach, allowing truck manufacturers to combine standardized battery packs to meet specific needs for capacity and payload. CATL claims this standardization can reduce vehicle development times by 50 percent and research and development costs by 60 to 70 percent. The architecture supports various drive configurations, including central drives and e-axles, and is compatible with both cable charging and battery swapping.

Technical specifications include a gravimetric energy density of 170 Wh/kg, which CATL states is approximately 13 percent higher than the current industry average. This increase could allow trucks to carry roughly 600 kilograms of additional cargo compared to existing solutions. The system supports megawatt charging, promising an 80 percent charge in 25 minutes. CATL also guarantees a service life of up to 12 years or 1.5 million kilometers. However, specific details regarding total battery capacity in kWh, total weight, and exact pricing for the long-range configuration have not been disclosed.