CATL announced on October 20, 2026 that it has introduced a Dual-Electric Range Extender technology for heavy-duty trucks and outlined plans to enlarge its QiJi battery-swapping ecosystem. According to the company, more than 430,000 electric heavy trucks already run on CATL batteries, giving it a share of over 70% of the global market. In China, electric heavy-truck penetration increased from 5.2% in 2022 to 50.28% in September 2026.

The technology is based on an “A+B” battery architecture. A swappable main pack is mounted underneath the vehicle and is offered in 432 kWh and 513 kWh versions, while a separate fixed 77 kWh pack provides backup power. CATL said the backup unit allows the main battery to be discharged to 5% state of charge before the truck switches to backup power. The swappable battery is being offered under a leasing model designed to reduce the vehicle’s upfront cost.

When paired with five-minute battery swapping, the system is intended to bring heavy-truck operating efficiency closer to diesel levels while lowering total cost of ownership. CATL estimates that users could save more than 460,000 yuan ($68,700) over three years compared with diesel trucks. QiJi battery blocks have been standardized in two formats: the 260# model, rated at 432 kWh, for trucks with a 3,800 mm wheelbase; and the 300# model, rated at 513 kWh, for trucks with a 4,200 mm wheelbase.

CATL said five major trunk routes are already in operation, with more than 5 million km of stable operation. The company aims to have 900 swapping stations by the end of 2026, followed by 2,000 stations in 2027 covering the national highway network, with an eventual target of 10,000 stations. At the launch, 14 partners—including SF Express, ZTO Express and YTO Express—signed agreements with CATL, linked to an initial order volume of 13,000 units.

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