In February 2024, Exeed, a Chery sub-brand, announced that the CATL Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery reached mass production and made its global debut in the Sterra ET SUV.

The Sterra ET is capable of “full-temperature-range lightning-fast charging”, which enables a 400km range on a 10-minute charge at 25 degrees Celsius and a 20% to 80% battery capacity charging time of only 24 minutes at minus 20 degrees Celsius. The Sterra ET has undergone a series of battery safety tests and passed the CATARC NESTA technology verification.

(From an Exeed press release dated February 20, 2024)

In November 2023, CATL announced at the Auto Guangzhou 2023 that it will deepen cooperation with GAC Group in areas such as R&D of new technologies, supply of the Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, exploration of business models, and synergistic development of markets. Through resource sharing and advantage complementation, the two parties will co-develop high-quality New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) and jointly promote the innovation and global deployment of battery technologies. In response to NEV users’ current anxiety for charging at low temperatures, battery service life, and more, they will co-develop low-temperature-adaptable and long-service-life versions for the Shenxing battery, of which the latter will support an ultra-long cell guarantee period of 8 years or 800,000km and is expected to be officially launched in June 2024. (From a CATL press release dated November 17, 2023)

CATL's wholly owned subsidiary established the service brand EVOGO and launched a modular battery swap solution called Modular battery swap solution. The battery swap solution is a service consisting of battery modules, battery swap stations, and an app. At the battery swap station, the battery module "Choco-SEB," whose size can be freely selected like a piece of chocolate, is used for quick battery exchange. An app has also been developed at the same time to greatly improve the speed and convenience of battery replacement.

• Battery Module
  -The battery module "Choco-SEB (Swapping Electric Block)" is a battery specially designed for use in sharing and uses the latest CTP technology. With a weight energy density of 160Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of over 325Wh/L, a single battery has a range of approximately 200km. It can be adapted to 80% of EVs currently sold worldwide and EV platforms to be sold within the next three years. When replacing batteries, only the equivalent amount of batteries will be replaced based on the amount of energy used. In addition, a wireless BMS (battery management system) has been adopted to greatly improve convenience during battery replacement.
• Battery Swap Station
  The Fast Battery Swap Station is a drop-in battery swap station. It saves space, has a high turnover rate due to its fast charging speed, and is not affected by weather conditions because it has a roof. A typical station is about the size of a parking space for three cars. A single battery exchange can be completed in about one minute. At any given time, 48 replacement batteries are stored at the station.
• App
  The driver uses an app to share information between the vehicle, station, and battery module.

Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. (CAES), a subsidiary of CATL, announced the signing of a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Guangzhou Nanling Automobile Co., Ltd. (Nanling Auto) in Shenzhen. The two parties will give full play to their respective resource advantages to co-build a battery swapping service eco-network. In the future, they will conduct cooperation in areas such as investment in and operation of battery swapping stations, market launch of New Energy Vehicles, after-sales services, and zero-carbon industrial parks. (From a CAES press release dated December 11, 2023)

In June 2023, CATL announced that EVOGO fast battery swapping stations in Fuzhou were inaugurated and commissioned. The first three EVOGO fast battery swapping stations commissioned in Fuzhou are located in Cangshan District, Jin’an District, and the Fuzhou National Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone, respectively, and are expected to form an 8km service radius in downtown Fuzhou by the end of 2023. At the inauguration ceremony, Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd., which is responsible for the operations of the stations, signed strategic cooperation framework agreements on EVOGO with Sinopec Fujian Branch, State Grid Electric Vehicle Service (Fujian) Co., Ltd., and SPIC Kangfu International Leasing Co., Ltd. to jointly promote charging and battery swapping businesses with Fujian as the key cooperation area. (From a CATL press release dated June 6, 2023)

CATL announced that in December 2022, the EVOGO battery replacement service began operation in Guiyang, Guizhou Province. Four EVOGO battery exchange stations are already in operation in Guiyang. (From CATL's official WeChat account dated December 12, 2022)

In June 2022, CATL announced the launch of EVOGO, a battery exchange service, in Hefei, Anhui Province. As the first phase, three battery exchange stations have been started; by the end of 2022, 20 exchange stations will be installed in Hefei to provide the service within a 5-kilometer radius in the city's service rollout. (From CATL's official WeChat dated June 18, 2022)

In July 2022, CATL announced that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the Chengdu City government. The two parties will cooperate in the operation of battery switching stations, research and development in the field of new energy, and resource utilization. At the same time, CATL and its subsidiaries have also signed cooperation agreements with the Xinjin district government, Chengdu Communications Investment Group, and Chengdu Environment Group. In addition to advancing the development and application of battery replacement technology, CATL will establish a Southwest China operation headquarters and an R&D center in Chengdu. It will also work to develop technologies and products and promote projects in the development and utilization of new energy sources, drive batteries, and zero-carbon transportation. In the area of integrated resource utilization, a zero-carbon model area is planned to be established in the Changan Venous Industrial Park. (From CATL's official WeChat dated July 31, 2022)

In March 2022, CATL subsidiary Contemporary Amperex Energy Service Technology Ltd. (CAES) and a subsidiary of Fujian Expressway Group Co., Ltd. (Fujian Expressway Group) signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic alliance. The two companies will establish a joint venture to provide battery replacement services in Fujian Province. The joint venture will build and operate battery exchange stations at Fujian Expressway service areas and terminals, and will also expand its business to neighboring provinces. (From a press release dated February 23, 2022)

In April 2022, "EVOGO" battery replacement service will be launched in Xiamen City (Amoi), Fujian Province. The first service was launched at four battery exchange stations located in Siming District, Huli District, and Haicang District in Xiamen City. The monthly service fee for Choco-SEB (swapping electric block) is currently as low as CNY 399/piece, but will be adjusted according to various usage conditions of the users. CATL plans to build 30 battery exchange stations in Xiamen by the end of 2022, so that there will be one exchange station within a 3km radius. (From a press release dated April 18, 2022)

CATL announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with Shandong Hi-Speed Group Co., Ltd. (SDHS). According to the agreement, both parties will cooperate in New Energy areas such as heavy-duty truck battery swapping and green battery manufacturing. Qiji Energy, a CATL sub-brand for heavy-duty truck battery swapping solutions, will give full play to its advantages of innovative technologies and operation models and combine them with SDHS’s resource advantages to build a rapid battery swapping network focusing on core trunk lines in Shandong with SDHS. In the future, both parties will continue to deepen their cooperation to co-build a green trunk line transportation network, support Shandong in accelerating its energy transition, and promote the realization of China’s goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality. (From a CATL press release dated September 13, 2023)

CATL announced that the first green logistics highway in China that allows heavy-duty trucks to swap batteries, jointly built by a CATL subsidiary and Fujian Expressway Group, has opened to traffic. Named Ningde-Xiamen Trunk Line, it is located in the Fuzhou Ring Expressway section of the Shenhai Expressway and spans a total length of about 420km. There are 4 battery swap stations along the trunk line. The Ningde-Xiamen Trunk Line integrates Qiji Swapping Electric Blocks, Qiji Battery Swap Station, and Qiji Cloud Platform, giving full play to the innovative technology and operation model of Qiji’s one-stop solution for battery swapping. Electric heavy-duty trucks travelling between Ningde and Xiamen can enjoy battery swapping and replenishment services on this trunk line. Fujian Province has a fleet of 120,000 heavy trucks. If changes in fuel prices and vehicle purchase costs are not taken into account, Qiji Energy solution will reduce logistics costs by approximately CNY 3 billion per year as well as reduce carbon emissions by 18 million tons. (From a press release dated August 24, 2023)

CATL signed a framework agreement with NIO in Beijing to jointly promote the R&D and innovation of long-service-life batteries based on battery swap scenarios.For this partnership, the two parties will jointly discuss the R&D of long-service-life batteries. They will jointly tackle technologies, promote technology innovation, and accelerate the application of long-service-life battery solutions in battery swap scenarios.CATL will plan and develop a battery system with a longer service life for application to future NIO models. By further extending the battery service life, the system frees users from bearing the high out-of-warranty power battery replacement cost and the power battery degradation-caused vehicle price depreciation, enabling better battery swap services.(From a CATL press release dated March 14, 2024)

CATL officially released the Qilin Battery on June 23, 2022. This product is a battery for high-end EVs that uses third-generation CTP (Cell to Pack) technology. The Qilin battery has a volume utilization rate of 72% and an energy density of 255Wh/kg for a ternary battery system and 160Wh/kg for a lithium iron phosphate battery system. It also provides a cruising range of 1,000km. A large cell surface cooling technology is used, and it can heat the battery in 5 minutes (emergency restart function) and supports quick recharging up to 80% in 10 minutes. A Qilin battery of about the same size as a 4680 battery (cell size 46mm x 80mm) achieves 13% higher power output than a 4680 battery.

The Qilin battery eliminates the crossbeam, water cooling plate, and insulation pads, which were originally designed separately, to create a multifunctional elastic sandwich structure. In addition, a bottom-sharing design was adopted. This increased space by 6% by distributing functional modules for structural protection, high-voltage connections, and thermal runaway protection. Moreover, the world's first large cell cooling technology was adopted. Based on cell variations, coolant functions were placed between cells, increasing the heat exchange area by a factor of 4.

The Qilin battery will be used in the Geely Zeekr brand vehicles, and will be installed in the Zeekr 009 and Zeekr 001. CATL and Geely have entered into a five-year long-term strategic partnership.

-In March 2023, according to multiple media reports, mass production of the Qilin battery began.

MTB technology is the direct integration of a battery module into the bracket and chassis of a heavy-duty truck. Direct integration improves battery volume utilization by 40% and reduces weight by 10%. This results in a design with a low center of gravity. The energy density of the system reaches 305Wh/L (or 170Wh/Kg) and the battery cycle life is 10,000 cycles/10 years.

-The cell eliminates heat dissipation issues with a U-shaped liquid cooling system. Batteries can be freely combined to provide battery capacities from 140kWh to 600kWh. The operating temperature range is -35 to 65°C.

This system is scheduled to be adopted in the National Power Project for Electric Power Generation Core Power project being promoted by the Chinese government. State Power Investment Corporation Limited is a smart energy service affiliate of State Power Investment Corporation Limited, which focuses on the field of green transportation. (From CATL's official WeChat account dated September 17, 2022)

The CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) is highly integrated by optimizing the internal structure of the battery and integrating the battery pack, motor, and other major components under the vehicle. It increases the energy density of the battery and improves the volumetric efficiency of the same size, thereby reducing costs and saving energy, while increasing passenger space.

Neta Automobile: The two companies will cooperate in CIIC technology, with Neta Automobile's models equipped with CIIC to be launched as early as the end of 2024.
VinFast, an emerging Vietnamese automaker: Based on the existing partnership in CTP (cell to pack) technology, the two companies will also cooperate in CIIC.

In December 2022, construction of the Shanghai Smart Power System Factory (Phase 2), an integrated electric chassis research and development (R&D) site, began in the Lingang New Area of Shanghai.
In January 2023, Times Intelligence announced that it will build the first integrated intelligent chassis production site based on Cell to Chassis (CTC) technology in Yichun.

The first-generation sodium-ion battery has an energy density of 160Wh/kg as a stand-alone cell, can be charged to more than 80% capacity in 15 minutes at room temperature, and has a capacity maintenance rate of more than 90% even at a low temperature of -20°C. It also has a system integration efficiency of more than 80%. The thermal stability of the battery also fully meets the safety requirements set by China. Sodium-ion batteries excel in low-temperature performance and rapid recharging, and are particularly advantageous under the high power conditions required in alpine regions. Efforts are currently underway for mass production by 2023.

CATL announced that together with China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd. (China Mobile), it officially established the CMCC-CATL Information Energy Joint Institute. The joint institute will conduct R&D of core technologies covering aspects such as digital energy storage, low-carbon energy, and energy informatization. It endeavors to make breakthroughs in digital energy technology, energy storage industry standard systems, and virtual power plant operations to create an integrated product and operation system in the fields of communications and new energy in China. It will promote the energy revolution and a greener industry, contributing to the early realization of global carbon neutrality. (From a press release dated December 21, 2023)

CATL will establish its international headquarters in Hong Kong and its Hong Kong Technology Innovation and R&D Center in the Hong Kong Science Park (HKSP). Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, the HKSP administrator, said that CATL’s Hong Kong settlement, R&D of cutting-edge energy solutions, and collaboration with the HKSP on improving supporting facilities will further promote the development of Hong Kong’s New Energy technology industry, transportation, infrastructure, and more. These will also accelerate the sustainable development of Hong Kong’s New Energy industry, help Hong Kong become an international green technology and financial center, promote the development of the local green technology ecosystem, and jointly achieve the goal of zero carbon. (From multiple press releases dated December 6, 2023)

CATL announced the holding of a ceremony for the signing of a cooperation framework agreement on a joint laboratory for lithium battery safety with the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology (CAST) in Ningde, Fujian. According to the agreement, the two parties will continuously deepen cooperation in areas such as testing and verification, policies and standards, technology innovation, establishment of an innovation ecosystem, and cultivation of talented personnel to expand their advantages in the New Energy field. (From a CATL press release dated November 20, 2023)

CATL announced the establishment of a strategic partnership with JAC Group. According to the agreement, the two parties will conduct cooperation in areas such as supply of power batteries, introduction of battery swapping technologies, co-development and application of new technologies and products, expansion of domestic and foreign markets, and carbon emission reduction for the industrial chain. Concerning power batteries, CATL will provide JAC Group with new technologies and products for power batteries, perfect production-sales-R&D coordination services, and technologies deeply integrating finished vehicle platforms and batteries to co-develop competitive New Energy models. In terms of technology cooperation, both parties will establish a joint R&D team for the co-development and application of new technologies and products. They will jointly promote the introduction of the CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) technology, determine models applicable to this technology, and formulate cooperation schemes and development plans as needed. (From a CATL press release dated January 7, 2024)

CATL announced the signing of a three-year strategic cooperation agreement with M-Hero Technology, a Dongfeng Motor subsidiary.

As M-Hero Technology’s preferred partner for power batteries, CATL will fully support M-Hero Technology in developing and manufacturing finished vehicles and provide the automaker with competitive power battery products and services.

In addition, both parties will cooperate closely in areas such as development of new batteries, application of the Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery, projects on technology innovation, and market promotion. The M-Hero 917 SUV to be launched will come with a “CATL Inside” sign.

(From a CATL press release dated January 4, 2024)

CATL signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with Sinopec (China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation) in Beijing to jointly promote the demonstration application of photovoltaic power generation-energy storage-charging integrated micro grid technology.

Through a joint venture, the two parties will accelerate the launch of passenger vehicle battery swapping operations and explore the feasibility of swapping batteries for commercial vehicles at comprehensive energy stations. For technology innovation, the two parties will jointly promote the formulation and revision of relevant standards for battery applications such as energy storage and battery swapping.

They will jointly study the measurement methodology for the full-lifecycle carbon footprint of petrochemical products and reliable data. For energy storage, the two parties will cooperate in areas such as industrial and commercial energy storage, energy storage and power supply for refining and chemical companies, and power supply from energy storage as an alternative to diesel generators. In the future, the two parties will leverage their respective advantages to contribute more to the green, low-carbon, and high-quality development of the energy industry.

(From a CATL press release dated March 14, 2024)

CATL announced the official establishment of a battery swapping joint venture (JV) with DiDi Chuxing Technology Co., Ltd. (DiDi Chuxing). The JV will provide battery swapping services for New Energy Vehicles in the online ride-hailing industry.

In addition to establishing the JV, CATL formed a strategic partnership with Orange Energy, a DiDi Chuxing subsidiary, to promote cooperation in more extensive New Energy areas such as energy storage-charging integration. Orange Energy is engaged in multiple fields such as Internet refueling, intelligent charging, virtual plants, power trade, ancillary power services, and corporate services. 

(From a CATL press release dated January 28, 2024)

Fraunhofer IKTS announced that its Battery Innovation and Technology Center (BITC) has collaborated with CATL, to develop models at the Erfurter Kreuz site to predict battery lifetimes. The data will optimize battery production. The collaboration, which began with the "BattLife" project in 2020, now continues and expands under "BattForce" project until 2027. The project will focus on battery swelling, a critical factor in battery life. The test center will be expanded and equipped with new technology to facilitate data collection for this purpose. With support from the Free State of Thuringia (Germany), a high-end test facility was set up at the CATL plant in Erfurter Kreuz during the "BattLife" project. It simulates various environmental conditions, allowing experts at Fraunhofer IKTS to analyze and evaluate data. (Based on Fraunhofer IKTS press release on October 23, 2023)

Shanghai Putailai New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (Putailai) announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with CATL establishing a long-term cooperation mechanism for composite copper foil current collector business. The two parties will cooperate in the R&D, manufacturing, promotion, sales, and application of composite copper foil current collectors in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) lithium battery field and co-develop domestic and overseas NEV markets. The agreement is valid until June 30, 2029. (From a Putailai press release dated October 10, 2023)

CATL announced that it signed a MoU (memorandum of understanding) with Thailand’s Arun Plus for cooperation in battery business in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) markets. Under the agreement, CATL will authorize Arun Plus to use its CTP (cell-to-pack) technology, so as to boost the application of this technology in Thailand and even worldwide. Arun Plus is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thailand's state-owned oil supplier PTT Public Company Limited (PTT). Under the agreement, Arun Plus and CATL will provide batteries for Horizon Plus and other EV brands. Horizon Plus, a joint venture between Arun Plus and Foxconn, plans to produce EVs in Thailand in 2024. (From a press release dated May 13, 2022)

Zhejiang Yinlun Machinery Co., Ltd. (Yinlun Machinery) announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with CATL in three areas.

CATL announced the signing of an agreement on comprehensively deepening strategic cooperation with the People’s Government of Sichuan Province in Chengdu.

According to the agreement, the two parties will further expand cooperation areas, deepen cooperation models, and improve cooperation mechanisms. They will strengthen cooperation in areas such as development of green energy, development of new energy storage, and construction of zero-carbon parks.

They will jointly facilitate the development and utilization of lithium ore resources to push ahead with the construction of the CATL Southwest China Regional Headquarters. Since the 2019 establishment of Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary, CATL has invested in and implemented several major New Energy projects in regions such as Yibin, Chengdu, and Ganzi.

(From a CATL press release dated February 3, 2024)

Announced on December 29, 2023, the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Maritime and Investment Affairs congratulated PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTAM), HongKong CBL Limited (ANTAM), and Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) on their collaborative investment in the supply chain of the lithium battery ecosystem in Indonesia.

According to the minister, this is the first in the world, covering stages from nickel mining to giga factory battery cells and packs, as well as recycling.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Minister of Investment/Head of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) said this investment was not a trivial investment, as the value was quite large (up to around IDR 80-90 trillion). He also added that attention needs to be paid to the environment in detail.

Chinese battery giant CATL announced in April 2022 that its subsidiary, CBL, will join hands with Antam and IBC to develop an EV battery integration project in Indonesia, covering nickel mining, EV battery materials, EV battery production and battery recycling.

(From Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources release on December 29, 2023 and an article of Paul Tan on December 28, 2023)

The People’s Government of Beijing Municipality issued a list of key government tasks for 2024, proposing the follows: implementing a batch of demonstration projects such as establishment of a new power system; promoting the high-quality development of the New Energy Vehicle industry; actively developing industrial chains for key components such as motors, batteries, electronic controllers, and automotive-grade chips; improving the cluster development level of the auto industry; and encouraging and supporting auto exports. Also mentioned are accelerating the construction of a solid-state lithium-ion battery industrialization project of Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. and promoting the groundbreaking of the first phase of a CATL cell plant. (From a People’s Government of Beijing Municipality press release dated February 1, 2024)

The Sichuan Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited Phases 7 and 8 project, with a total investment of CNY 12 billion and a maximum planned construction start-up capacity of 225GWh, will be the world's largest battery production site when completed. Once the project is completed and production begins, the plant is expected to generate annual sales of CNY 35 billion. Previously, the project had been built in six phases with an investment of approximately CNY 32 billion starting in 2019, but the Sichuan CATL Phases 7-10 Project Investment Agreement was signed to invest an additional CNY 24 billion beyond the first six phases, bringing the total investment to CNY 66 billion. The first phase officially went into operation in June 2021.

-The first standard battery cell of CATL Changan Power Battery Co., Ltd. (CATL Changan) officially rolled off the production line in Sanjiang New Area, Yibin, Sichuan, marking that the joint power battery project among CATL, Changan Auto, and Deepal has officially gone into production. Located in Yibin, Sichuan, and jointly established by CATL, Changan Auto, and Deepal with a total investment amount of CNY 6 billion, CATL Changan is a technological manufacturing company integrating the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of emerging energy technologies and new material technologies. (From a CATL Changan press release dated November 25, 2023)

Invest in Thuringia announced that CATL is building its first battery cell manufacturing facility outside of China in the industry park “Erfurter Kreuz” and officially launched its local production of lithium-ion cells at the end of January 2023. After delays caused by Corona, production was set up according to plan. Production initially started on two module lines, and by the end of 2023, the planned six lines are scheduled to go into operation, generating an output of 24 GWh/a. In the meantime, the number of employees has grown to around 1,000. CATL is investing around EUR 2 billion in what is currently Europe’s largest cell production facility; up to 2,000 jobs will be created. (From a press release dated May 5, 2023)

Construction will begin in 2021. The plant will be divided into two parts.
Plant G1, which assembles cells purchased from other companies into modules, began mass production in 2021.
G2, a newly established cell production plant with a licensed cell capacity of 8GWh, began mass production in December 2022.