Today, CATL unveiled its latest innovation, the Freevoy battery, specifically designed for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), at a launch event held in Beijing. The plug-in hybrid’s advanced system enables swift 4C charging and provides an impressive range of over 400 km, mimicking the performance of a battery-electric vehicle, according to the manufacturer.
Prior to the past year, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) have gained widespread acclaim in China, with Li Auto serving as a trailblazer in this space. Until recently, its fleet was comprised entirely of range-extended electric vehicles. With BYD adhering to a consistent trend, this is attributed to the notable surge in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales as a percentage of total gross sales over recent months.
CATL aims to capitalize on the growing demand for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in China by introducing its innovative Freevoy Tremendous Hybrid Battery, which promises to deliver a driving experience akin to that of an all-electric vehicle for PHEVs and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
“With just 10 minutes of charging, you can achieve a range exceeding 280km thanks to its advanced 4C supercharging technology, effectively mitigating concerns about slow recharging.” Moreover, this technology ensures reliable efficiency, unaffected by chilly temperatures—a significant advantage in regions like Scandinavia where cold weather often impairs performance, according to CATL.
An electric range-extended automobile (EREV) is a type of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), where the internal combustion engine (ICE) operates as a range extender, supplementing the electric motor’s power to increase driving range. The internal combustion engine’s primary function is to charge the battery or assist the electric motor, rather than being directly linked to the wheels.
The C-rate measures how quickly a battery is charged or discharged. In this context, a 1C charge rate would imply that the battery could potentially reach full capacity from zero to 100% within an hour. Analogously, the 4C rating implies that a battery can potentially discharge four times its capacity within one hour, or conversely, it can charge to full capacity every quarter of an hour.
Between January and September 2024, the gross sales of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in China reached 3 million units, representing an impressive 80% year-over-year surge. On this interval, BEV’s auto sales totalled 4.1 million units, a modest 18% year-over-year increase.
Extra Freevoy specs
CATL’s innovative Freevoy battery boasts a novel nanoscale protecting layer and leverages cutting-edge high-activity excited state particle technology in its cathode materials, enabling sophisticated multi-level energy management capabilities. With its sodium-ion capabilities, the battery is capable of discharging at extremely low temperatures down to -40°C and charging in conditions as low as -30°C.
To enhance safety, the battery leverages cutting-edge NP2.0 technology, featuring advanced smoke containment and a sophisticated high-pressure configuration. Here is the rewritten text: This reduction in defect fees applies to the production process up to the PPB stage, effectively capping the defect rate at a fixed percentage per billion units produced.
Chinese manufacturers such as Li Auto, Avatr, Deepal, Changan, and Neta have opted for CATL’s Freevoy battery in their respective models, according to the company. Automotive manufacturers such as Chery, SAIC, and Geely are likely to incorporate the Freevoy battery into their PHEV and EREV lineups, given its expected widespread adoption across 30 models by 2025.
Different CATL batteries
Last month, Chinese automotive leader CALT launched Tectrans T, a massive 600-kilowatt-hour electric vehicle battery designed specifically for heavy-duty transportation applications in the European market. The pack is specifically designed for heavy-duty applications, boasting a remarkable lifespan of approximately 2.8 million kilometres.
In August of last year’s final 12 months, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) successfully launched its Shenxing battery, specifically designed for rapid charging capabilities. CATL reportedly claimed to have developed the globe’s inaugural 4C charging lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
In June 2022, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) unveiled its Qilin battery, boasting exceptional range capabilities that extend up to an impressive 1,000 kilometers.
According to China EV DataTracker, Chinese-language battery manufacturers dominated 44% of the domestic market in September, with a significant 23.99 GWh of battery capacity deployed in electric vehicles.
1. LG Chem (55.2%);
2. Contemporary Amperex Technology (16.8%);
3. Panasonic (11.4%);
4. BYD (6.5%);
5. Samsung SDI (4.3%);
6. Tesla (2.7%);
7. Faradion (1.9%);
8. Valence Technology (1.5%);
9. GS Yuasa (0.9%);
10. Exide Technologies (0.5%); Credit score: China EV DataTracker
