The MTB technology integrates the battery module directly into the vehicle's bracket or chassis, allowing for a 40 percent increase in battery system utilization and a 10 percent weight reduction.
Chinese power battery giant CATL announced on September 17 its MTB (module to bracket) battery technology for heavy-duty trucks, saying it will first be used in a battery swap project by Qiyuan Core Power, a subsidiary of State Power Investment Corporation.
The MTB technology integrates the battery module directly into the vehicle's bracket or chassis, allowing for a 40 percent increase in battery system utilization and a 10 percent weight reduction, according to CATL.
Battery packs using this technology can achieve energy densities of 170 Wh/kg or 305 Wh/L, have a cycle life of 10 years or 10,000 cycles, and support capacities of 140 kWh to 600 kWh.
These packs use U-shaped water-cooling technology for more efficient heat dissipation, providing a better solution for electrifying battery swap-enabled heavy trucks or construction machinery, according to CATL.
With this technology, the vehicle's center of gravity can be reduced by 21 percent for smoother handling.
The battery pack supports multiple scenarios with an operating temperature range of -35 degrees Celsius to 65 degrees Celsius, according to CATL.
CATL currently holds a leading position in batteries for heavy trucks and construction machinery, with nine out of every 10 such vehicles using the company's batteries, it said.
Notably, MTB technology, like CTP (cell to pack) and Qilin Battery, is CATL's innovation in battery structure, not a new formulation in chemistry.
CATL unveiled the CTP (cell to pack) 3.0 Qilin Battery on June 23, saying the technology allows the battery to reach an energy density of 255 Wh/kg, easily enabling the vehicle to achieve a range of 1,000 kilometers.
When CATL announced the Qilin Battery, it said that the battery would be in mass production by 2023.
However, earlier this month, local media outlet The Paper reported that the Qilin Battery will be ready for mass production shipments by the end of this year, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The first production batteries will be loaded in the first quarter of next year in the Zeekr 009, the first MPV from Geely's premium electric vehicle brand Zeekr, the report said.
CATL, BYD continue to dominate China's power battery market in Aug, despite small share declines
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