China’s CATL unveils standardized battery pack to electrify heavy trucks, promising quicker refuels, lower emissions, and a big shakeup in global logistics
CATL — the same battery powerhouse behind countless electric vehicles worldwide — just made a bold move that could transform long-haul trucking forever. Their latest tech? A universal battery swap solution built specifically for heavy-duty electric vehicles. And yes, it’s already rolling out in China.
Revealed at an event in Datong, Shanxi province, the new “75#” battery pack isn’t just another shiny piece of hardware. It’s part of a full-scale deployment plan aimed at solving one of the EV world’s toughest puzzles: making electric freight trucks fast, practical, and profitable.
A Real Fix for the Trucking Industry’s “Messy Middle”
Let’s be real — electrifying big rigs is a logistical nightmare. Long charging times, range anxiety, and poor charging infrastructure have made the shift to electric semis slow and frustrating.
CATL’s new standardized battery, born from its QIJI Energy project launched back in June 2023, targets that exact issue. Instead of waiting around to juice up, truckers will be able to swap a depleted battery for a fresh one in minutes.
Yang Jun, CEO of CATL’s QIJI Energy subsidiary, shared that they’ve collaborated with over a dozen manufacturers — from terminal tractors to construction giants — to ensure wide adoption. The result? More than 30 battery swap-ready heavy-duty EVs already in the pipeline.
That’s not just talk. Trucks equipped with CATL’s 75# pack are expected to start hitting Chinese roads soon.
Infrastructure Is Key — And CATL Is Building It
A battery is only as useful as the network that supports it. CATL knows this, and they’re already several steps ahead.
By the end of 2025, they aim to deploy 300 battery swap stations for heavy trucks in 13 core regions across China. But that’s not where it stops:
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By 2030, a wider network will span 16 city clusters
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All swap stations will support 75# battery systems
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Trucks can still be plug-charged if needed
This means drivers won’t be stuck hunting for chargers on a long haul. And for operators? That translates to more uptime, smoother logistics, and fewer headaches.
Heavy Trucks, Heavier Impact — CATL’s Eyes on Global Expansion
Electrifying semis is about more than convenience. It’s about cutting emissions where it matters most.
Heavy-duty trucks, while making up just a slice of global traffic, account for a massive chunk of transportation emissions. Robin Zeng, CATL’s chairman and CEO, isn’t mincing words — he says electrified trucks could hit a 50% global adoption rate within just three years.
That’s a wild number, considering where the industry was even five years ago.
One-sentence break: And it might not be all that far-fetched.
Governments are tightening emissions rules. Companies are looking for greener supply chains. Fuel prices are unpredictable. Electrified fleets — especially with quick-swap tech — could offer a rare win-win.
Europe and Australia on the Horizon, U.S. Still Unclear
While North American rollout plans are still under wraps, Europe and Australia are already being scoped out. Given the logistics footprint of both regions — and their push for low-emission freight corridors — the move makes sense.
There’s no official launch date yet, but industry watchers are betting CATL will move quickly if early China deployments show strong uptake.
It’s not just policy driving interest. In many countries, electric trucks come with lower toll fees, tax benefits, and rising resale values. Add fast-swap infrastructure to the mix, and suddenly, the transition starts to look like a business decision — not just an environmental one.
What Comes Next? CATL’s Standard May Not Stay Standard for Long
Standardized battery swapping sounds great — but only if everyone agrees on the standard.
CATL’s “75#” pack might lead the way, but whether competitors will adopt or challenge the format remains to be seen. Rivals like BYD and Geely could throw their own packs into the ring, muddying the waters with format wars. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Still, CATL has first-mover advantage. And with their vast EV battery supply dominance, they have the clout to push industry-wide adoption.
But questions remain:
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Will OEMs outside of China build around CATL’s format?
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Can they maintain performance across climates?
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How fast can the swap infrastructure scale outside of Asia?
Battery swapping in trucks isn’t new — but getting it right, at scale, is a whole different beast.
