CATL Launches Tianxing II Truck Batteries and Qiji Swapping

CATL Introduces Tianxing II Heavy-Duty Truck Batteries

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL) has launched its Tianxing II heavy-duty truck battery lineup and new Qiji battery-swapping ecosystem solutions at its “Winning 2027” launch event. The products address different freight transportation requirements, including short-haul tractor-trailer operations, dump trucks, short-wheelbase vehicles, interprovincial trunk-line transportation, and trucks requiring extended driving range. Alongside battery hardware, CATL introduced standardized swappable battery packs, upgraded battery-swapping stations, and revised leasing arrangements. The combined offering is intended to address vehicle packaging, cargo capacity, range, refueling downtime, and operating economics across heavy-duty trucking applications.

Tianxing II Rear-Mounted Batteries Target Payload and Cargo Efficiency

The Tianxing II Rear-Mounted Ultra-Lightweight Version is designed for short-haul tractor-trailer operations. Its battery system weighs more than 530 kg less than the industry average for systems with comparable capacity. The design uses third-generation cell-to-pack (CTP) technology, battery cells with a volumetric energy density of 450 Wh/L, and integrated die-casting technology. According to CATL, these features can enable an estimated annual revenue increase of approximately CNY 12,000 per vehicle. The stated benefit connects lower battery-system weight and the selected engineering approach with the operating economics of short-haul freight transportation.

The Tianxing II Rear-Mounted Ultra-Thin Version is intended for dump trucks, where battery packaging can affect the space available for carrying material. This configuration reduces battery-pack thickness by 280 mm, allowing the cargo bed to extend to 8.8 meters and increasing cargo volume by 3 cubic meters. CATL estimates that the resulting configuration can generate an additional CNY 25,000 in annual revenue per vehicle. These figures are the company's stated estimates; actual results would depend on vehicle use and operating conditions, which are not specified in the announcement.

Underbody-Mounted Versions Address Maneuverability and Long-Distance Range

The Tianxing II Underbody-Mounted Short-Wheelbase Version focuses on vehicle maneuverability and cargo capacity. It enables a 0.45-meter reduction in wheelbase, increases cargo capacity by 3 cubic meters, and reduces the turning radius by 0.9 meters. CATL states that this configuration can boost annual revenue by more than CNY 50,000 per vehicle. The combination of a shorter wheelbase, additional cargo capacity, and a tighter turning radius is particularly relevant to the vehicle configuration described by the company, although the announcement does not specify the operating conditions used to calculate the revenue estimate.

For interprovincial trunk-line transportation, the Tianxing II Underbody-Mounted Long-Range Version features a 760 kWh battery capacity and a driving range of more than 600 km on a single charge. CATL also says the battery can add 300 km of range in 20 minutes. These specifications target freight operations that require substantial driving range and opportunities to replenish energy during a route. The announcement does not provide further details about the charging conditions, vehicle configuration, or test cycle underlying the stated range and replenishment figures, so they should be understood as the company's announced specifications.

Dual-Battery System Adds a Range-Extension Option

The Tianxing II Dual-Battery Range-Extended Version combines an underbody-mounted swappable main traction battery with a rear-mounted range-extender battery. The main battery is available in 432 kWh and 513 kWh configurations, while the range-extender battery has a capacity of 77 kWh. The main traction battery supports deep discharge, allowing a vehicle to return to its depot when the main battery's state of charge (SoC) falls to as low as 5%. This arrangement is designed to make use of the main battery's capacity while retaining a separate energy source for continued operation when the main battery charge is low.

When the main traction battery reaches a low state of charge, the rear-mounted range-extender battery takes over the power supply through millisecond-level switching technology, according to CATL. The system is part of the company's broader offering for heavy-duty transport vehicles that use battery swapping. Its two-battery arrangement combines a swappable traction battery with an additional battery for range extension, rather than relying on a single battery configuration for every operating requirement. CATL also plans to offer flexible battery leasing for this version, allowing customers to select rental arrangements according to their needs.

Qiji Battery Swapping Adds Standardized Packs and Upgraded Stations

CATL introduced two standardized swappable battery packs for its Qiji battery-swapping ecosystem: the 260# pack, with a capacity of 432 kWh, and the 300# pack, with a capacity of 513 kWh. The 260# pack is designed for vehicles with a 3.8-meter wheelbase, while the 300# pack is intended for vehicles with a 4.2-meter wheelbase. These standardized options connect battery capacity and vehicle dimensions with the company's swapping approach. The announcement positions the packs as part of an ecosystem that combines compatible truck configurations, replaceable batteries, station infrastructure, and battery-leasing services.

The upgraded Qiji battery-swapping station, designated version 3.0, increases daily service capacity by 28%. Its pit-free design allows deployment in as little as five days, while construction costs are reduced by 10%, according to CATL. The stations can accommodate three types of standardized swappable battery packs and are compatible with all mainstream vehicle models, the company says. Together, the capacity increase, installation approach, and pack compatibility are intended to support a broader network for heavy-duty truck battery swapping. The announcement does not specify the baseline used to measure the service-capacity increase or the construction-cost reduction.

Battery Leasing Introduces Electricity-Based Billing

Alongside its hardware and station updates, CATL has comprehensively upgraded its battery-leasing plans. The company introduced what it describes as an industry-first billing model based on the amount of electricity charged into the battery. Under this arrangement, all electricity recovered through regenerative braking while driving belongs to the user. This billing approach changes how the leased battery's energy use is accounted for, according to the announcement. CATL did not provide a detailed tariff schedule, a comparison with previous billing arrangements, or a calculation of the potential savings for individual truck operators.

The dual-battery range-extension solution also comes with flexible, on-demand battery-leasing options and a minimum lease term of one year. For new vehicles, customers can defer the start of the lease by up to three months. When a used-vehicle transaction is approaching, battery rental charges can be suspended up to two months before the transaction. These provisions introduce flexibility around vehicle deployment and resale timing. The announcement describes the available terms but does not specify all eligibility conditions, contractual procedures, or the financial impact for different vehicle owners.

CATL Sets Qiji Battery-Swapping Network Expansion Targets

China is the focus of CATL's planned Qiji battery-swapping network expansion. The company aims to establish 900 stations by the end of 2026, creating a trunk-line battery-swapping network designed to provide access to swapping services within 1.5 hours of driving. By 2027, CATL plans to expand the network to 2,000 stations and achieve full coverage of China's major expressway network. Its longer-term target is 10,000 stations nationwide. These figures are announced targets rather than confirmation of completed deployments, and the schedule depends on the company's subsequent network rollout.

The network plan links CATL's standardized battery packs and upgraded stations with the needs of heavy-duty freight operations across major transport corridors. Access to swapping facilities within the stated driving interval is intended to make battery replacement available across a wider trunk-line network, while the longer-term 10,000-station ambition signals a nationwide expansion goal. The announcement does not provide a station-by-station deployment schedule or identify the locations planned for each phase. Progress toward the 2026 and 2027 targets will therefore be important to determining how quickly the proposed coverage becomes available to truck operators.

Industry Impact & Outlook

CATL's launch combines battery-pack engineering, standardized swapping hardware, station deployment, and leasing terms into a single proposition for heavy-duty freight operators. The potential business value rests on whether the stated reductions in battery weight and pack thickness, improvements in cargo capacity and maneuverability, and range options translate into practical operating benefits for different truck applications. The Qiji network targets could also make swapping more accessible along major Chinese freight corridors if the planned stations are deployed on schedule. Fleet operators will need to assess compatibility, actual operating economics, station availability, and contractual terms as implementation progresses. The announced rollout milestones provide measurable points for evaluating CATL's progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CATL's Tianxing II battery lineup?
CATL's Tianxing II lineup is a range of heavy-duty truck battery products designed for different vehicle configurations and freight transportation requirements. It includes rear-mounted lightweight and ultra-thin versions, underbody-mounted short-wheelbase and long-range versions, and a dual-battery range-extended version. The announced applications cover short-haul tractor-trailer operations, dump trucks, and interprovincial trunk-line transport. The lineup combines different battery capacities and packaging approaches to address vehicle weight, cargo space, maneuverability, and driving range rather than using one configuration for every truck application.

What range does the Tianxing II long-range battery offer?
The Tianxing II Underbody-Mounted Long-Range Version has a stated battery capacity of 760 kWh and a driving range of more than 600 km on a single charge, according to CATL. The company also says the battery can add 300 km of range in 20 minutes. These are the specifications provided in the launch announcement, which does not detail the charging conditions, test cycle, or vehicle configuration associated with the figures. Operators should therefore distinguish the announced specifications from performance under their own operating conditions.

How does the Tianxing II dual-battery range-extension system work?
The Tianxing II Dual-Battery Range-Extended Version combines an underbody-mounted swappable main traction battery with a rear-mounted 77 kWh range-extender battery. The main battery is offered in 432 kWh and 513 kWh configurations and supports deep discharge, allowing the vehicle to return to its depot with its state of charge as low as 5%. When the main battery charge becomes low, millisecond-level switching technology allows the range-extender battery to take over the power supply. CATL also offers flexible leasing options for this configuration.

What are the new Qiji swappable battery packs?
CATL introduced two standardized Qiji swappable battery packs: the 260# version with 432 kWh capacity and the 300# version with 513 kWh capacity. The 260# pack is designed for vehicles with a 3.8-meter wheelbase, while the 300# pack is intended for vehicles with a 4.2-meter wheelbase. The packs form part of CATL's wider battery-swapping ecosystem, which includes upgraded stations and leasing arrangements. Standardized options are intended to connect battery configurations with vehicle dimensions, supporting the company's planned heavy-duty truck swapping network.

What are CATL's targets for Qiji battery-swapping stations?
CATL aims to establish 900 Qiji battery-swapping stations by the end of 2026, with access to swapping services within 1.5 hours of driving across its planned trunk-line network. The company plans to expand the network to 2,000 stations by 2027, targeting full coverage of China's major expressway network. Its longer-term ambition is to reach 10,000 stations nationwide. These numbers are future deployment targets announced by CATL, not confirmation that the stations have already been built or that the planned coverage is currently available.