The Avatar 07 and Neta L were the first mass-market electric vehicles to adopt CATL’s Bypass battery technology, initially designed for plug-in hybrid cars. They got their hands on the sodium-ion-containing Freevoy pack before its official debut.
The first to get their hands on the Freevoy battery were Avatr 07 and Neta L, securing them ahead of its official launch.
On October 24, Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) launched its revolutionary Freevoy battery, specifically designed for the growing demand of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This pack enables rapid 4C quick DC charging, providing an impressive range of over 400 kilometers on a single charge. Following the successful launch ceremony, Avatr and Neta unveiled their latest EREV products, which had seamlessly integrated the innovative Freyvoy battery technology.
The Neta L EREV, powered by a Freevoy battery, officially launched in the Chinese market on August 2, with a price range of 154,800 to 189,300 yuan, equivalent to approximately 21,750 to 25,800 US dollars. According to the official statement, only the premium Neta L trim level comes equipped with the advanced Freeway package. The ternary lithium-ion battery pack boasts a considerable capacity of 43.9 kWh, enabling an impressive driving range of approximately 310 kilometers on a single charge, as certified by the Chinese Laboratory Test Cycle (CLTC). The maximum range of the Neta L’s battery varies at 1,160 kilometers. The battery can be quickly replenished to 30-80% of its capacity within just 19 minutes.
The all-new Avatarr 07 made its debut in the Chinese market on September 26, boasting a price range of 219,900 to 289,900 yuan, equivalent to approximately $30,850 to $40,700 USD. The eREV variant of this crossover features a lithium-iron-phosphate battery with a capacity of 39.05 kilowatt-hours, enabling an electric-only range of approximately 230 kilometers according to the Chinese Laboratory Test Cycle (CLTC). The total distance of the blended route measures 1,152 kilometers. This pack costs between $0.50 and $2.00 per quarter-hour, a significant range that may impact decision-making.
The CATL’s Freevoy battery is capable of utilizing distinct chemistry variations. With the incorporation of a nanoscale protective coating and leveraged expertise in high-activity excited-state particles. The Freevoy battery harnesses NP2.0 technology, featuring advanced energetic smoke isolation for enhanced performance. This proprietary technology pack integrates cutting-edge sodium-ion expertise, enabling reliable discharging down to -40°C and charging as low as -30°C.
Prior to its market debut, Avatar and Neta – two Chinese EV startups – surprisingly opted for CATL’s Freevoy battery pack technology, a move that raised eyebrows within the industry.
Avatar and Neta, two Chinese-language electric vehicle (NEV) manufacturers, boast strong ties with Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL), the world’s leading EV battery producer. The Avatar brand is a collaborative effort between Chinese automaker Changan, technology giant Huawei, and battery specialist Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL). Hozon’s Neta has signed a 10-year comprehensive partnership agreement with CATL as of May this year. That’s the reason they secured the Freeway battery with such speed.
Both Avatar and Neta share a disconcerting trait. According to a CarNewsChina analysis, the majority of manufacturers failed to meet more than 70% of their annual gross sales target in the first nine months of 2024, with less than 30% of their goals achieved during this period. Neta achieved 28.2 percent of its gross sales target, while Avatar managed a respectable 27.4 percent share. The average gross sales objective achievement rate among Chinese NEV manufacturers is approximately 47 percent.
Manufacturers who adopted the Freevoy battery first reaped the benefits, gaining an edge over their competitors in the NEV industry. Enhancing their overall sales performance is likely. Notwithstanding, CATL reportedly forecasts the Freevoy battery will be integrated into 30 fashion designs by 2025. Avatars and Netas face a tight deadline to boost their overall sales volume.
