CATL Introduces Freevoy Battery for Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles in China
CATL, a leading Chinese battery manufacturer, unveiled its latest innovation, the Freevoy battery, in Beijing today. Designed specifically for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), the Freevoy battery boasts fast charging capabilities and offers a range of over 400 km for a “BEV-like” driving experience, according to the company.
PHEVs have gained significant popularity in China over the past year, with companies like Li Auto and BYD leading the trend. CATL aims to capitalize on this growing market by providing an enhanced driving experience with the new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery.
The Freevoy battery features 4C supercharging capabilities, allowing for a range of over 280 km with just 10 minutes of charging. This addresses concerns about slow charging and ensures reliable performance even in cold weather conditions, making it ideal for regions like the Nordic countries.
In addition to PHEVs, the Freevoy battery is also suitable for electric range-extended vehicles (EREVs), where the internal combustion engine serves as a range extender without directly powering the wheels.
Advanced Features of the Freevoy Battery
CATL’s Freevoy battery incorporates a nanoscale protective layer and utilizes high-activity excited state particle technology in the cathode material, enabling multi-level power control. It also integrates sodium-ion technology, allowing for operation in extremely cold temperatures down to -40°C.
For enhanced safety, the battery employs NP2.0 technology, which includes active smoke isolation and a high-pressure system, reducing the defect rate to the PPB level.
Several automotive brands, including Li Auto, Avatr, Deepal, Changan, and Neta, have already chosen to adopt the Freevoy battery in their models. CATL predicts that the Freevoy battery will be featured in 30 models by 2025, including those from Chery, SAIC, and Geely.
Other CATL Battery Innovations
In addition to the Freevoy battery, CATL has introduced several other cutting-edge battery technologies in recent years. These include the Tectrans T, a 600 kWh EV battery for heavy-duty trucks in Europe, the Shenxing battery focused on fast charging, and the Qilin battery designed for long-range driving.
As of September 2024, CATL commanded a 44% market share in China’s electric vehicle battery market, with 23.99 GWh of battery capacity installed, according to China EV DataTracker.
