Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has introduced a new electric vehicle (EV) platform, the Bedrock chassis, designed to offer exceptional safety performance.
The Bedrock chassis is built to absorb up to 85% of collision energy, a significant improvement over conventional chassis, which typically absorb around 60%. CATL claims the chassis can withstand a high-speed impact of up to 120 km/h without catching fire or exploding.
The Bedrock chassis uses CATL’s cell-to-chassis technology, integrating battery cells directly into the vehicle’s structure to enhance rigidity and safety. This innovative design is said to make the chassis “virtually impervious” to damage, thanks to the use of advanced materials like “submarine-grade” hot-formed steel and aerospace-grade aluminum alloys.
Additionally, the cells are housed in a new energy-absorbing insulation film, ensuring that in the event of an accident, the high-voltage circuit is deactivated within 0.01 seconds and the remaining energy is discharged in 0.2 seconds.
At the launch event in December 2024, CATL revealed that Avatr, a car manufacturer in which CATL holds a minority stake, would be the first to adopt the Bedrock chassis, although details on the specific model and launch timeline were not disclosed.
The new chassis is expected to set new safety standards in the EV industry, with CATL highlighting that the design could withstand an impact at 120 km/h, equivalent to a fall from a 56-meter-high building.