BUSINESS

CATL Sees New-Energy Big Rigs Making Up Half of China’s Truck Sales by 2028

Published: Sep. 7, 2026 1:02 p.m. GMT+8

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Wu Kai, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chief scientist at CATL, delivers a keynote address at the World Power Battery Conference on Sept. 4. Photo: CATL

China’s heavy truck market is on track to electrify far faster than previously expected, with new-energy models potentially accounting for half of sales by 2028, said battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL)’s chief scientist.

The prediction underscores rapid acceleration in the electrification of the commercial road transport sector, driven by technological breakthroughs, continued government subsidies and high fossil fuel prices.

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CATL predicts new-energy heavy trucks could reach 50% of sales by 2028, outpacing China's 40% penetration target for 2030.
Sales in first seven months of 2026: 166,500 units, up 74% year-on-year, a 35.3% penetration rate; July hit record 47.3%.
Electric trucks save 0.6 yuan/km; battery swap takes 5 minutes; 15-year/2.4-million-km warranty available. CATL holds 43.4% of China's commercial-vehicle battery market.

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Who’s Who

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) is a Chinese battery giant. Its chief scientist predicts new-energy heavy trucks could reach 50% of China's truck sales by 2028. CATL introduced heavy-duty battery systems with 15-year/2.4 million km warranties and a five-minute battery-swapping solution. It holds a 43.4% share of China's commercial vehicle battery market.

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What Happened When

2024：: The new-energy heavy truck sector entered a rapid development phase after the penetration rate hit 10%.

First seven months of 2026：: Domestic sales of new-energy heavy trucks reached 166,500 units, surging 74% from a year earlier, with a market penetration rate of 35.3%.

July 2026：: The penetration rate hit a record 47.3%.

May 2026：: Chinese authorities issued guidelines targeting a 40% market penetration rate for new-energy heavy trucks by 2030, with a goal of putting more than 1.6 million such vehicles on the road.