CATL launches battery with 1,000 km range, faster charging

CATL launched a new EV battery called Qilin that can deliver a 1,000 km driving range per charge while using a lighter battery pack.

The battery was built for automakers facing tighter energy efficiency rules in China and overseas, said Gao Huan, CTO.

CATL also unveiled an upgraded Shenxing battery that it said can charge from 10% to 98% in under seven minutes.

🔗 Source: Reuters

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The third-generation Qilin battery sits in CATL’s wider lineup. It is aimed at premium long-range EVs, with a claimed 1,000 km range, 10C charging, and cell energy density of 280 watt-hours per kilogram, said CATL 1.
The upgraded Shenxing battery belongs to CATL’s third-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery line. It can charge from 10% to 98% in 6 minutes and 27 seconds, said CATL 1.
CATL also said lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries fit its push for very fast charging, as the chemistry gets close to its theoretical energy density ceiling 1.
The lineup also covers sodium-ion batteries for very hot or cold settings plus energy storage systems, along with a hybrid battery that blends LFP with nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) materials, said CATL 1.
That mix gives CATL options for premium long-range EVs, hybrid vehicles, and other segments with more than one battery type 1.

CATL is also building a network around these battery lines through fast charging sites linked with battery swapping, said CATL 1.
The company plans to have 4,000 combined charging and swap stations in place by the end of 2026, said CATL 1.
In emergencies, station batteries can send electricity straight to charging units, which can push equipment use above 85%, said CATL 1.
CATL plans to build this shared network with automakers plus energy partners. The first group includes Changan, Chery, GAC, Seres, SAIC-GM-Wuling, and BAIC, said CATL 1.