CATL and QIJI Energy have introduced a dual-electric range extension battery and a battery-swapping system for heavy-duty electric trucks, with 13,000 units ordered at launch.
On 20 October 2026 in Beijing, CATL unveiled a standardized main battery, mounted on the truck chassis and swappable at QIJI stations, paired with a secondary battery installed behind the cab. The backup unit is currently a 77kWh battery capable of 3C charging.
CATL stated that the backup battery allows operators to use more of the main battery, increasing its depth of discharge from about 70% to over 95%. This enables trucks to reach swap stations with less than 5% charge remaining, and the switch to backup power occurs within milliseconds.
The 3C charging rate is lower than the speed CATL reported in July for a light commercial EV battery, which can reach 80% charge in 6 minutes and 48 seconds. CATL has not disclosed the driving range, charging time for the 77kWh unit, or a commercial launch date for the new system.
The design, called 1+X architecture, allows the two batteries to be developed and upgraded independently. The range extension battery can be configured for higher energy density, improved cold-climate performance, or increased power. CATL has not specified the cell chemistry for the backup unit.
Under the proposed model, the backup battery remains with the truck, while the main battery can be leased seasonally to reduce costs.
QIJI's network will introduce swap blocks of 432kWh and 513kWh, in addition to its existing smaller block. The companies claim a swap takes about five minutes and succeeds on the first attempt in 99.99% of cases.
Customers will pay for the net energy used through a battery-as-a-service model, allowing operators to retain energy recovered via regenerative braking. CATL said per-kWh rental costs on basic plans could decrease by up to 20%.
QIJI aims to operate 900 swap stations by the end of 2026 and 2,000 by 2027, with a long-term goal of 10,000 nationwide in partnership with others. QIJI CEO Jesse Yang described the dual-electric battery and swapping system as the optimal solution for electrifying heavy-duty trucks.
These targets complement CATL's plans for smaller vehicles, which include 4,000 charging and battery-swapping stations for light commercial fleets across China in 2026.
CATL also introduced ultra-light, ultra-thin rear-mounted batteries and chassis-mounted batteries for both short- and long-haul trucks, though specifications were not provided.
Internationally, CATL and Octopus Energy have established Swaptopus, a joint venture to build battery-swapping hubs for electric trucks in Europe, with the first UK sites expected to open in 2027.
Battery swapping is also being tested in mining, where SPIC Qiyuan and Rio Tinto are trialing eight battery-swap electric haul trucks through the end of 2026.
Range under heavy loads remains a challenge for the industry. A Faraday Institution report from March indicated that battery electric trucks could become a viable alternative to diesel for long-distance transport by 2030, provided charging networks are established at depots and along routes.
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