CATL unveiled its latest innovation, the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, designed to provide an electric vehicle (EV)-like experience for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). The launch took place today at an event in Beijing.
The new battery boasts a range exceeding 400 kilometers for hybrid vehicles and supports rapid charging at 4 C, catering to the growing preference among Chinese consumers for the driving experience of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) while alleviating range anxiety. This trend has led many consumers to opt for hybrid models, as evidenced by the retail sales figures for hybrid vehicles in China, which reached 3 million units between January and September 2024.
Gao Huan, chief technology officer of CATL’s China passenger vehicle business, emphasized the significance of the Freevoy battery, stating, “The launch of the Freevoy battery heralds a new era of high-capacity EREV and PHEV batteries.” He noted that the battery’s capabilities allow vehicle owners to eliminate the frequent recharging associated with traditional hybrids, claiming that “a single charge of the Freevoy battery can support a week’s commuting.”
The Freevoy battery also offers impressive charging speeds, providing a range of more than 280 kilometers with just a 10-minute charge. Moreover, it integrates sodium-ion battery technology with lithium-ion batteries, enhancing performance in low-temperature conditions. According to CATL, the Freevoy can still function at extreme temperatures, with the ability to discharge at -40 degrees Celsius and recharge at -30 degrees Celsius, maintaining a driving experience comparable to that at ambient temperatures.
Several automotive brands, including Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI), Avatr, Deepal, Nevo, and Neta, have already opted to incorporate the Freevoy battery into their upcoming models. By 2025, CATL expects that nearly 30 hybrid models from manufacturers such as Geely, Chery, and GAC will feature the new battery pack.
This latest launch follows CATL’s previous introductions of innovative battery technologies, including the Qilin Battery in June 2022, which focuses on long-range capabilities, and the Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery in August 2023, which was noted as the world’s first lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery to support 4 C charging. As the world’s largest power battery maker, CATL has installed 189.2 GWh of EV batteries from January to August 2024, holding a leading 37.1 percent share of the global market, according to South Korean market researcher SNE Research.
