CATL, MEILLER, Daimler Truck

CATL has unveiled a new dual-battery system for heavy-duty electric trucks designed to improve the range and cost-effectiveness of battery-electric commercial vehicles. The system, known as the Dual-Electric Range Extension Battery, combines a standardized swappable battery integrated into the vehicle chassis with an additional battery positioned behind the driver's cab. The auxiliary battery in its current configuration has a capacity of 77 kWh and supports charging rates of up to 3C. According to the manufacturer, this configuration is designed to increase the usable depth of discharge of the main battery from approximately 70% to more than 95%. When the main battery's state of charge falls below 5%, the auxiliary battery takes over the power supply within milliseconds.

The modular 1+X architecture is designed to support different battery configurations for a range of transport requirements. At the same time, CATL is expanding its QIJI battery-swapping system with new battery variants offering capacities of 432 kWh and 513 kWh. A complete battery swap is expected to take just five minutes. CATL has also introduced a Battery-as-a-Service model in which customers pay only for the net amount of energy charged, taking into account energy recovered through regenerative braking. According to the company, battery rental costs could decrease by up to 20% under certain pricing conditions.

In parallel, CATL plans to expand its battery-swapping infrastructure in China to 900 stations by the end of 2026 and 2,000 locations by the end of 2027. In the longer term, the company aims to establish a nationwide network of 10,000 stations together with its partners. The facilities are expected to be located primarily along major freight transport corridors. CATL also reported agreements covering a total of 13,000 units, without providing further details on the vehicle or battery variants involved.

MEILLER has developed a new body solution based on a battery-electric Volvo FM Electric for GEKA, a German company specializing in the disposal of chemical warfare agents and legacy military munitions. The vehicle combines a TECTRUM hooklift system with a specially adapted TECTRIS skip loader, allowing it to transport both roll-off containers and skip containers. With this solution, GEKA is replacing two previously operated diesel trucks and can handle different transport tasks using a single electric vehicle.

The solution is based on a Volvo FM Electric with a 6x2 axle configuration, equipped with a MEILLER TECTRUM RS21.65 hooklift system. It is complemented by a customized TECTRIS AK14-MT skip loader mounted on a special support frame. This allows the entire skip loader assembly to be picked up and set down like a roll-off container as needed. For internal transport operations, GEKA uses the vehicle to move approximately 660 skip containers annually, each carrying eight to nine tons of treated material. For external transport operations involving wood, scrap metal, packaging materials, or contaminated soil, the skip loader is set down, and the hooklift system is used to handle conventional roll-off containers.

Both body systems receive hydraulic power through the Volvo FM Electric's electromechanical power take-off, which drives a hydraulic pump. The two systems have separate hydraulic oil circuits and their own radio remote controls. According to MEILLER, this is the first time GEKA has deployed a combination of hooklift and skip loader systems on a battery-electric chassis.

Professional truck driver and content creator Tobias Wagner, known as "Elektrotrucker," has completed the first major leg of his round-the-world journey in a Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 converted into a motorhome. After setting off from IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover on September 20, 2026, his route took him through the Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria before reaching Turkey. By mid-October, Wagner had arrived at the Mercedes-Benz Türk plant in Aksaray after covering approximately 3,500 kilometers with just three charging stops. He has since continued his journey into Georgia.

According to Wagner, the journey through Europe went smoothly, without any major difficulties. The next leg is expected to take him through Central Asia to China and then onward to Southeast Asia. Further stages are planned across Australia, North America, and Latin America. The entire round-the-world journey is expected to cover approximately 45,000 kilometers, with a target of no more than 80 charging stops.