Chinese battery giant CATL has unveiled a new heavy-duty truck powertrain and an expanded battery-swap network, targeting the growing market for electric freight transport in China. The announcement, made at an event in Beijing on October 20, introduces the Tianxing II 'electric-electric range extension' (EREV) system and the Qiji battery-swap ecosystem, according to NetEase Auto.
Dual-battery design and cost savings
The Tianxing II system splits the traditional under-chassis swappable battery into two independent units: a main drive battery that can be swapped for fast refueling, and an auxiliary range-extender battery that provides additional power. This dual-battery architecture allows the main battery to discharge deeper—reducing the typical return-to-station charge from around 30% to below 5%—and enables a full swap in about five minutes, minimizing downtime for fleet operators.
CATL claims the system can cut annual refueling costs by about 130,000 yuan (roughly $18,300) per truck compared with diesel, based on an average daily driving distance of 400 km (about 249 miles). Over three years, total cost of ownership is estimated to be about 70,000 yuan (about $9,860) lower than a battery-owned electric truck and more than 460,000 yuan (about $64,800) lower than a diesel truck. These figures are based on specific operating conditions and may vary, the company noted.
To reduce upfront purchase costs, CATL is offering a 'vehicle-battery separation' model, battery leasing, and financing options, including leases starting at one year and deferred start dates for new vehicles. The company also announced a residual value guarantee for the first 10,000 Tianxing II buyers, offering up to 15,000 yuan (about $2,110) per vehicle.
Battery-swap network expansion
CATL's Qiji battery-swap system now covers five major freight corridors, including Guangdong to Shanghai and Chengdu to Wuhan, with more than 5 million km (3.1 million miles) of stable operation. The company plans to build 900 swap stations by the end of 2026, 2,000 by 2027, and 10,000 in the long term.
The new Qiji 3.0 station maintains a swap time of about five minutes and a 99.99% first-attempt success rate, while increasing daily service capacity by 28% and cutting construction costs by 10%. CATL also introduced two standardized swappable battery blocks: the 260# with 432 kWh for trucks with a 3.8-meter wheelbase, and the 300# with 513 kWh for 4.2-meter wheelbase vehicles. These are paired with a 77 kWh pack for the Tianxing II system.
In addition, CATL launched four charging products for different use cases, including a lightweight under-chassis version that reduces weight by about half a ton, and a long-range variant with 760 kWh that can deliver over 600 km (373 miles) on a single charge and add about 300 km (186 miles) in 20 minutes using an 800-volt platform.
CATL said more than 430,000 electric heavy trucks in China, or over 70% of the national fleet, are equipped with its batteries. The company is partnering with 14 truck makers and dealers to build the swap ecosystem, aiming to recruit 1,000 partners this year and 10,000 over three years. It also introduced insurance support and financing for swap users, with average premiums reportedly down to 24,000 yuan (about $3,380) per vehicle.
