Electric Heavy-Duty Trucks Face Peak Battery Retirement Period

[Infrastructure] The first batch of traction batteries from electric heavy-duty trucks is now reaching mass retirement, and the recycling system urgently needs improvement.

Core Trend: First Peak Retirement Expected in 2026

Domestic new-energy heavy-duty trucks began limited deployment in 2020 and entered large-scale adoption in 2022. Based on a service life of 6 to 8 years, the first wave of concentrated battery retirements will officially begin in 2026. In high-frequency operation zones such as Tangshan (Hebei) and Rizhao (Shandong), vehicle mileage has already exceeded 600,000 kilometers, pushing battery health close to critical thresholds.

Key Data: Total Retired Batteries to Exceed 3.5 Million Tons by 2030

Research institutions forecast that by 2030, the total volume of retired traction batteries nationwide will surpass 3.5 million tons, with commercial vehicles accounting for a significant share. A single electric heavy-duty truck carries battery packs with capacities of several hundred kilowatt-hours, presenting both substantial recycling value and environmental pressure.

Strategic Foundation: Residual Value Assurance Shapes Market Confidence

Without mature mechanisms for battery recycling and residual value assessment, user confidence in new-energy trucks as stable operational assets will be undermined. Establishing an efficient circular utilization system has become a critical component for the industry’s sustainable development.