Swaptopus inches towards reality as CATL reveals new semi truck battery

This is industry news about electric semi trucks, not something that touches most homeowners directly, but it's worth knowing about the broader push toward electrifying transportation. CATL, a major battery maker, and Octopus Energy have a venture called Swaptopus aimed at building a European network where electric trucks can swap depleted batteries for charged ones instead of waiting to charge. CATL just unveiled a new battery system for this, called TECTRANS II, built for commercial trucks.

The new battery packs more energy per pound, letting trucks carry about 0.6 extra tons of cargo at the same battery size. It also supports up to 620 miles of range and can charge to 80 percent in 25 minutes using very high-power chargers, and it converts more of the electricity into usable power, with 96 percent efficiency. CATL and Octopus say a full network could eventually support more than 300,000 electric trucks across Europe and bring in over £30 billion in private investment.

CATL has also signed an agreement with shipping company DHL, along with other partners that supply mobile charging and battery storage equipment, to speed up the shift to electric freight trucks in Europe. DHL is working toward a goal of net-zero emissions in its logistics operations by 2050. None of this involves home batteries, chargers, or rebates, but it's a sign of how battery technology and charging speeds are advancing on the commercial side, which can eventually influence costs and options for home energy storage down the road.