Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) has introduced a standardized “75#” battery swap pack designed for heavy-duty trucks, expanding upon its previous initiative for the passenger vehicle segment launched in December 2024. The new battery swap solution was unveiled at an event held on May 18 in Datong, Shanxi province, located in northwest China.
The newly launched battery swap pack is noted for its extended lifespan, touted as the highest in the industry, and offers flexibility by allowing vehicles to select the number of packs required. Yang Jun, CEO of Qiji Energy, a subsidiary of CATL, stated that this development is intended to promote the adoption of battery swap technology within the heavy truck sector, a strategic focus for Qiji Energy since June 2023.
To date, CATL has collaborated with various vehicle manufacturers to launch over 30 heavy truck models equipped with battery swap capabilities. The standardized battery swap stations are outfitted with 24 battery packs and maintain compatibility with 95 percent of mainstream heavy-duty vehicles.
In terms of cost efficiency, heavy trucks utilizing Qiji Energy’s battery swap technology can achieve savings of approximately RMB 60,000 ($8,320) per 100,000 kilometers compared to traditional fuel-powered trucks. Additionally, these electric trucks can save about RMB 20,000 compared to those powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), which are subject to price volatility in LNG markets.
Robin Zeng, chairman and CEO of CATL, expressed optimism regarding the future of battery swap technology in the heavy truck industry, forecasting a 50 percent electrification rate within the next three years. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand for zero-carbon solutions and the desire to reduce logistics costs.
Looking ahead, CATL plans to establish 300 battery swap stations across 13 key regions in China by the end of 2025, with the objective of creating a comprehensive network covering 16 city clusters by 2030. Furthermore, CATL anticipates that by 2030, battery swapping, at-home charging, and public charging will each fulfill approximately one-third of the energy replenishment needs for electric vehicle owners.
Source: CNEV Post
