CATL has partnered with Blue Vector Intelligent Technology to develop batteries for the Chinese company’s electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, expanding the battery manufacturer’s presence in the emerging electric aviation market.
The two companies recently signed strategic and product cooperation agreements, under which Blue Vector selected CATL as its exclusive battery partner, CATL said in a statement on Monday.
The collaboration will focus on the Skyla V30, an eVTOL aircraft developed by Skyla Aviation, Blue Vector’s electric aviation business. CATL will develop customised battery systems for the aircraft.
The companies did not disclose the agreement’s financial value, battery specifications or expected supply schedule.
Battery Development Targets Six-Seat Skyla V30
The Skyla V30 is a six-seat, all-electric tiltrotor aircraft designed for intercity passenger transportation.
Its first full-scale technology demonstrator, designated A/C01, rolled out on August 31 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, northeastern China.
According to plans announced at the time, the demonstrator is scheduled to undergo systems integration, ground testing and tilt-transition flight tests. The programme is intended to move the aircraft from design and development into full-aircraft engineering validation.
The battery partnership is expected to support the aircraft’s development, although the companies have not disclosed technical performance targets or details of the battery architecture.
Blue Vector Reports More Than 100 Pre-Sales Orders
Blue Vector announced on September 24 that it had secured pre-sales orders for 60 V30 aircraft during the Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou. The orders included 30 aircraft from Singapore-based aviation operator Moon Aero, marking the model’s first overseas pre-sales agreement.
At the time, the company said cumulative pre-sales orders had exceeded 100 aircraft since the V30’s global debut in July. It also said engineering validation and airworthiness certification work would continue.
The company has been raising capital to finance its research and development activities. On June 30, Blue Vector announced that it had completed a funding round exceeding RMB 100 million (approximately US$14.9 million), jointly led by Shenzhen Capital Group and an undisclosed industry-backed US dollar fund.
By that announcement, its eVTOL business had completed five funding rounds in nearly six months, raising more than RMB 400 million in total.
CATL Expands Electric Aviation Partnerships
The agreement with Blue Vector adds to CATL’s efforts to develop battery technology for electric aircraft.
In August 2024, CATL signed an agreement with Shanghai-based eVTOL manufacturer Autoflight, committing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the aircraft maker and jointly develop batteries for electric aviation.
In November 2025, Autoflight unveiled a floating vertiport developed in collaboration with CATL. The concept integrates an eVTOL takeoff and landing platform with energy storage, charging infrastructure and other systems aboard a battery-powered vessel.
The latest partnership gives CATL another opportunity to apply its battery development capabilities to the eVTOL sector, where aircraft manufacturers are working to advance engineering validation and certification ahead of potential commercial operations.