CATL launches new swappable battery for heavy-duty trucks, promises big cost savings

Chinese battery giant CATL has launched a new standardised battery pack for battery-swap enabled heavy-duty electric trucks.

The new standardised battery model, dubbed 75#, was launched on Sunday and promises the lowest lifecycle cost per tonne to kilometre as well as industry-leading safety.

CATL says trucks using this new standardised battery and ecosystem can save around 0.62 yuan per kilometre, which converts to around $A0.13, compared to diesel models, and deliver more than 60,000 yuan ($A13,000) in annual savings for high-mileage operators.

The new battery pack is also reportedly compatible with 95 per cent of mainstream vehicles and allows for flexible configurations depending on the needs of the truck and operator.

CATL has already partnered with over 10 automakers to launch more than 30 truck models capable of utilising the new standardised battery.

CATL and the China Communications and Transportation Association have high hopes for this new standardised battery ecosystem, targeting 50 per cent electric penetration in the sector within three years as part of the country’s larger efforts to decarbonise freight transport.

To deliver this accelerated adoption of battery swap-capable trucks, CATL plans to build a so-called “Eight Horizontal and Ten Vertical” nationwide network of swapping stations which cover 150,000 kilometres of expressways and trunk roads across China.

Such a network would serve around 80 per cent of trunk line freight capacity and serve key regions like Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, the Yangtze River Delta and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

This year alone, CATL plans to deploy 300 battery swap stations for heavy-duty trucks.