CATL unveils modular TECTRANS II battery platform for electric commercial vehicles

Gasgoo Munich- Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) introduced TECTRANS II, a new battery platform for commercial vehicles, at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover.

Modular battery platform for commercial vehicle applications

TECTRANS II is designed to accommodate different types of commercial vehicles and operating conditions.

The platform uses standardized battery packs that can be combined in different quantities to meet varying energy capacity and payload requirements, with the largest configuration offering a claimed range of up to 1,000 kilometers.

Image source: CATL

TECTRANS II is compatible with e-axle and central-drive architectures and can support either conventional charging or battery swapping.

CATL has standardized the platform's external dimensions, electrical interfaces and communication protocols while retaining the flexibility to update its battery technologies and pack designs.

The company said this approach would allow future battery upgrades to be applied to new and existing models without requiring extensive changes to their underlying vehicle platforms.

According to CATL, the modular system could shorten vehicle development cycles by 50% and cut research and development costs by between 60% and 70%.

Lower development and operating costs over the vehicle lifecycle

Using a common modular platform across multiple models could reduce the need for model-specific battery development, helping automakers lower development expenses, accelerate vehicle launches and limit upfront investment risks.

CATL said TECTRANS II could improve fleet operating economics through higher energy density, faster charging and greater energy efficiency.

The battery has a gravimetric energy density of 170 Wh/kg, which CATL claims is around 13% higher than the industry average and could allow a vehicle to carry approximately 0.6 tonnes of additional payload at the same battery capacity.

Image source: CATL

In its largest configuration, the system provides a claimed range of up to 1,000 kilometers and can reach an 80% state of charge in 25 minutes using megawatt-level fast charging.

CATL also claims that its full-tab, low-impedance design—the first of its kind globally—delivers system round-trip efficiency of 96%, helping reduce energy losses during charging and discharging.

For heavy-duty trucks, the TECTRANS II battery is designed for a service life of 12 years or 1.5 million kilometers, with 70% capacity retention, which CATL said could help preserve fleet asset values.

Structural protection and system redundancy

The battery platform incorporates several forms of physical protection for commercial operating conditions.

CATL said the hot-formed steel upper cover can withstand a 180-kilogram adult stepping on it 10,000 times without becoming deformed.

The bottom plate is rated to withstand impacts of up to 1,000 joules, providing protection against objects and debris encountered on the road.

The system is also designed to resist corrosion for 15 years, including during operation in coastal areas and cold climates.

TECTRANS II maintains IPXXB protection regardless of whether its main connectors are connected or disconnected, a feature intended to improve high-voltage safety during maintenance.

The platform also incorporates redundant system architecture, fault-diagnosis functions and cybersecurity measures.

Its multi-branch battery management architecture can isolate a faulty branch while allowing the unaffected branches to continue supplying power.

CATL has also incorporated insulation fault-location technology designed to determine whether a fault originates in the battery or elsewhere in the vehicle.

Cybersecurity measures cover chip hardware, software and vehicle-level systems, with CATL saying that international information security standards were applied throughout development.

CATL positioned TECTRANS II as part of its continued investment in commercial vehicle battery technology and product quality.

The company said the platform underwent validation procedures including full-vehicle torsion and external fire tests and was designed for long-term use under demanding commercial operating conditions.

CATL and DHL expand cooperation on European electric freight corridors

During the exhibition, CATL also signed a memorandum of understanding with DHL Group.

The agreement expands a partnership established in September 2024 and covers the development of Green Freight Corridors across Europe.

The initiative will combine DHL's logistics network, operating experience and transportation requirements with CATL's battery technologies and commercial vehicle electrification capabilities.

CATL and DHL also plan to involve automakers and other partners in developing purpose-built electric vehicles and carrying out pilot deployments.