Chinese power battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL, SHE: 300750) and BAIC Group signed a cooperation agreement on June 18 to collaborate in areas including skateboard chassis and battery swap technologies.
The partnership will focus on developing a skateboard chassis for the next-generation all-electric platform, CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis). This collaboration aims to study the architecture, systems, process, cost, and performance balance, and to jointly build products, according to a CATL statement.
CIIC is designed to integrate all the capability modules of an electric vehicle, including the powertrain, braking system, steering system, and thermal management system, into a highly integrated automotive chassis. This integration is expected to reduce the R&D cycle and costs, while optimizing vehicle layout for a more spacious and flexible interior.
CATL and BAIC will also collaborate in the battery swap sector, focusing on battery swap-enabled models, battery block development and distribution, and battery data management. The partnership will extend to development, sales, and battery rental of battery swap-enabled heavy truck models.
CATL launched its battery swap brand EVOGO on January 18, 2022, offering Choco-SEB (swapping electric block) technology, allowing vehicles to use one or more battery blocks to match different mileage requirements.
The collaboration comes as CATL begins construction of a production base in Beijing to supply customers including BAIC, Xiaomi, and Li Auto. The power battery project is part of Beijing Shidai Power Battery Company Limited, a joint venture between CATL, BAIC, Xiaomi EV, and Beijing Energy International.
CATL holds a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, with BAIC holding 39 percent and Xiaomi EV and Beijing Energy International each holding 5 percent, according to data provider Tianyancha.
