CATL Unveils TECTRANS II Battery Platform With up to 1,000 Km Range
The modular system standardizes interfaces to allow upgrades without changing vehicle platforms and supports both charging and swapping.
CATL has introduced TECTRANS II, a new battery platform for commercial vehicles that uses standardized packs to enable modular energy configurations. The company states that the largest setup supports a driving range of up to 1,000 kilometers.
What Happened
TECTRANS II follows the initial TECTRANS system launched by CATL in 2024. The new platform standardizes external dimensions, electrical interfaces, and communication protocols, while keeping the internal battery technology and pack design flexible. This approach allows vehicle manufacturers to upgrade existing or new models without significant changes to the vehicle architecture. The system is compatible with both e-axle and central-drive configurations and supports switching between charging and battery swapping. CATL indicates that the battery achieves a specific energy of 170 Wh/kg, which the company claims is approximately 13% higher than the industry average. Additionally, a full-tab low-impedance design delivers 96% system round-trip efficiency.
Why It Matters
The modular nature of TECTRANS II aims to reduce research and development costs and shorten vehicle development cycles for original equipment manufacturers. For heavy-duty trucks, the platform is engineered for a service life of 12 years or 1.5 million kilometers with 70% capacity retention. CATL highlights robust physical durability, noting that the hot-formed steel upper cover can withstand 10,000 steps from a 180 kg adult without deformation, and the bottom plate is rated for 1,000 Joules of impact. The system also includes multi-branch independent Battery Management System (BMS) control, which allows the system to isolate a failed branch while others continue to supply power. In parallel, CATL signed a memorandum of understanding with DHL Group at IAA Transportation to develop Green Freight Corridors across Europe, expanding a previous agreement from September 2024.
The Bottom Line
CATL’s TECTRANS II offers a standardized, modular solution for commercial EVs with claimed high specific energy and durability metrics. The platform supports flexible range configurations up to 1,000 km and integrates with both charging and swapping infrastructure, targeting reduced development times for OEMs.
