Breakthrough in the use of electric energy for commercial vehicles: CATL launches the innovative TECTRANS battery system

HANOVER , Germany, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At IAA Transportation 2024, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), a global leader in new energy technology innovation, unveiled its groundbreaking TECTRANS battery system, which is transforming the commercial transportation sector.

TECTRANS introduces a breakthrough in commercial vehicle battery technology, delivering unprecedented energy density, faster charging capabilities, and improved durability. This innovative system is expected to completely transform the EV landscape for commercial vehicles, providing fleet operators with increased range, reduced downtime, optimized cost efficiencies, and improved overall efficiency.

Energy density, fast charging and optimal longevity: The future of electric trucks and buses

For heavy-duty trucks, CATL is introducing two groundbreaking products: TECTRANS – T Superfast Charging Edition and TECTRANS – T Long Life Edition. The Superfast Charging Edition has an impressive maximum charging speed of 4C, allowing a 70% charge in just 15 minutes. This fast charging capability minimizes vehicle downtime and maximizes operational efficiency for fleet operators.

TECTRANS – T Long Life Edition sets a new industry standard with an outstanding service life of up to 15 years or 2.8 million km. Durability is crucial for the demanding nature of commercial operations, especially in high-frequency, energy-intensive situations such as port operations and bulk shipping.

Both truck versions have an impressive driving range of up to 500 km, meeting a wide range of operational needs, from short-haul deliveries to long-haul transport.

CATL TECTRANS – Bus Edition is an advanced battery solution for long-distance passenger transport, with an industry-leading energy density of 175Wh/kg, the highest for LFP chemistry used in bus applications. The compact design provides long-range operation and low energy consumption, enhancing vehicle layout flexibility. The advanced thermal management system maintains optimal performance in a wide range of climates, reducing internal temperature differentials by 50% and ensuring longevity even in extreme conditions.

In July this year, CATL launched light truck solutions in China, expanding the TECTRANS product portfolio to cover a wider range of commercial vehicle applications. These solutions feature enhanced energy density and fast charging capabilities, meeting the unique needs of urban delivery and last-mile logistics.

Akin Li, Executive Chairman of CATL Overseas Business, highlighted the exceptional reliability of CATL batteries in a variety of challenging environments: “Our batteries have proven reliability and performance in extreme conditions, from operating at temperatures above 45°C in Qatar and Dubai to withstanding temperatures as low as -35°C in Arctic countries such as Norway and Sweden. The launch of Tectrans and our product range demonstrates our unwavering commitment to driving the energy transition through continuous innovation.”

Advanced technology drives electric power for commercial vehicles

The main concerns facing the commercial vehicle industry when switching to electric power are charging time, cost and operating range. Tectrans is set to create more value for the commercial vehicle fleet by incorporating several advanced technologies that contribute to superior performance in terms of high energy density, fast charging and extended cycle life.

• For buses and coaches, the use of a high-pressure, high-energy density cathode design at the microscale significantly improves the energy density, while the U-shaped cushion layer and improved zero-deflection corner structure increase the volumetric energy density by 22% compared to the previous generation.
• For buses and coaches, this electrolyte also features a breakthrough additive molecular design and precision film forming capabilities, creating a super stable interface and significantly improving battery life.
• For the TECTRANS – T Superfast Charging Edition, to address the complex temperature difference inside the battery pack, the meticulously crafted flow channel system achieves precise control of different thermal zones, which halves the internal temperature difference.
• The long life of heavy-duty truck batteries is achieved through a variety of approaches. The surface of the anode material is modified to improve reactivity and suppress side reactions, thereby facilitating the transfer of lithium ions and extending the battery life by more than 20%. For the cathode material, CATL has integrated highly structurally stable active materials with lithium-rich materials, which not only enhances energy density but also improves cycling stability.

“As a global industry leader , CATL is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in electric mobility. TECTRANS is the result of our extensive research and development efforts and represents a significant step forward in the adoption of electric power for commercial vehicles. We are excited to showcase this technology at IAA Transportation and demonstrate how it will accelerate the global transition to sustainable transportation,” said Akin Li, Executive Chairman of CATL Overseas Business.

Using sustainable electricity for road transport

At this year’s IAA Transportation exhibition, CATL showcased a wide range of batteries and battery packs tailored for a variety of application scenarios, including trucks, buses, ships and construction machinery.

In addition to providing safe, reliable and cost-effective products and services to customers to support global climate aspirations, CATL is also committed to sustainable practices throughout the battery lifecycle. The company aims to achieve net-zero emissions in battery manufacturing by 2025 and across the entire battery supply chain by 2035. These milestones will result in a reduction of more than 40% in emissions over the lifecycle of electric vehicles. To date, CATL has achieved carbon neutrality at nine of its factories.

The company has established seven major industrial recycling centers globally, with its subsidiary Brunp Recycling achieving a recovery rate of over 99.6% for nickel, cobalt and manganese and 91% for lithium. With the capacity to process 270,000 tonnes of spent batteries annually, CATL is paving the way for battery production entirely from recycled materials, significantly reducing the need for new mining operations.