At the IAA Transportation trade fair in Hanover, battery manufacturer CATL introduced its modular Tectrans II battery platform for commercial vehicles. In its top configuration, the new system is designed to provide a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, targeting manufacturers of heavy-duty electric trucks for long-haul transport.
Megawatt Charging and Increased Energy Density
From a technical standpoint, the Tectrans II platform achieves an energy density of 170 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). According to company statements, this figure exceeds the current industry average by approximately 13 percent. Alongside the increased capacity, CATL relies on megawatt charging technology, which is intended to recharge the batteries to 80 percent of their capacity within 25 minutes. The manufacturer puts the round-trip efficiency (RTE)—the metric for energy efficiency between charging and discharging—at 96 percent.
Service Life of 1.5 Million Kilometers
For commercial deployment, CATL promises a service life of twelve years or a mileage of 1.5 million kilometers. After covering this distance, the battery’s remaining capacity is expected to be at 70 percent. Vehicle manufacturers are also set to benefit from the platform’s modular design: CATL states that the development effort for new vehicles is halved, while research and development costs can be reduced by 60 to 70 percent.
Alongside the trade fair presentation, the manufacturer signed a memorandum of understanding with logistics giant DHL. The objective is the establishment of “Green Freight Corridors” in Europe to expand emission-free freight corridors along key trade routes.
Market Position and Outlook for Long-Haul Transport
Until now, limited range combined with long charging times has been seen as a major barrier to transitioning from diesel trucks to battery-electric drives in long-haul freight. If Tectrans II can deliver on its promised charging times and ranges under real-world conditions and full payload, legally mandated driver rest breaks could easily be utilized for charging sessions. However, the expansion of the required megawatt charging infrastructure along European highways remains the critical prerequisite for widespread adoption.
With this launch, CATL reinforces its market standing in the commercial vehicle segment. According to figures from market research firm SNE Research, the company reached global sales of 289.6 gigawatt-hours (GWh) between January and July 2026, representing a market share of 39.9 percent. On its Chinese home market, the company held a 44 percent share in the electric commercial vehicle sector and over 60 percent in heavy-duty trucks during the first half of 2026. Worldwide, more than two million commercial vehicles are already equipped with CATL batteries, according to the manufacturer.
Sources: Borncity.com
