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CATL Unveils 8C Ultra-Fast Charging Battery for Light Commercial EVs
Image: (c) CATL
CATL has introduced the Tectrans II (Tianxing II), a new high-performance battery for light commercial electric vehicles. Developed specifically for vans and light commercial vehicles, the company states that this battery brings a peak charging rate of 8C to this vehicle segment for the first time, aiming to reduce charging times to a level comparable to traditional refueling.
CATL has introduced the Tectrans II (Tianxing II), a new high-performance battery for light commercial electric vehicles. Developed specifically for vans and light commercial vehicles, the company states that this battery brings a peak charging rate of 8C to this vehicle segment for the first time, aiming to reduce charging times to a level comparable to traditional refueling.
Charging Time of Under Seven Minutes
According to CATL, the new Tectrans II battery can charge from 20% to 80% in just 6 minutes and 48 seconds. A full charge is reportedly completed in 8 minutes and 56 seconds. This directly targets logistics companies that require minimal vehicle downtime.
With this market launch, CATL is transferring its ultra-fast charging technology from passenger cars to light commercial vehicles. While the third-generation Shenxing battery introduced this spring was designed for maximum charging performance in electric cars, the Tectrans II was custom-engineered to meet the rigorous demands of commercial logistics.
Engineered for High Mileage
In addition to rapid charging times, CATL has focused heavily on battery lifespan. The Tectrans II is designed for a service life of up to 1 million kilometers (approximately 620,000 miles) or ten years.
This longevity is achieved in part by reducing the internal resistance of the battery cells to 50% below the industry average, which generates significantly less heat during ultra-fast charging. Additionally, CATL utilizes atomic-scale interface restructuring on the graphite surfaces within the cells to minimize active lithium loss and slow down battery degradation.
Ultra-Fast Charging Even in Cold Weather
The battery is also designed to maintain its rapid charging capabilities in harsh winter conditions. At temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees Celsius (-4°F), CATL notes that the charging process takes only an additional two and a half minutes. This performance is driven by an advanced cell self-heating technology that was first introduced with the Shenxing generation.