&#34;Ternary lithium batteries are the optimal solution for high-end long-range models. For electric vehicles priced above 250,000 RMB, choosing LFP batteries is, in my view, a de facto downgrading.&#34; Gao Huan, Chief Technology Officer of CATL, delivered these remarks at the Super Tech Day with a notably sharp tone, prompting associations with a certain automaker that has strongly supported the LFP route.
The latter just launched two flagship models equipped with LFP batteries at last month's battery launch event, both boasting ranges exceeding 1,000 km, with top prices nearing 740,000 RMB.
Gao Huan believes that achieving long range with LFP batteries, which have lower energy density, requires adding significant weight. This excess weight places greater pressure on energy consumption, handling, and chassis lifespan.
He stated that the third-generation Qilin battery cells utilizing ternary materials achieve an energy density of 280Wh/kg. While enabling a 1,000 km range and 10C ultra-fast charging, the battery pack weight can be controlled at 625 kg. Compared to comparable mass-market LFP models offering 1,000 km range, this represents a weight reduction of 255 kg—roughly equivalent to three adult males—and saves 112 liters of space.
These advantages translate to vehicle performance as follows: fuel consumption per 100 km decreases by over 6%, 0-100 km/h acceleration time shortens by approximately 0.6 seconds, moose test passing speed increases by 8%, body roll angle reduces by 6.5%, extreme avoidance capability improves by 15% to 25%, critical chassis component lifespan extends by 40%, and tire life is prolonged by 30%.
Addressing safety concerns regarding ternary materials, the third-generation Qilin battery features independent sealed exhaust channels for each cell. In the event of thermal runaway, high-temperature smoke can be directed and rapidly expelled through dedicated channels, fundamentally optimizing the propagation chain from thermal runaway to electrical failure.
<img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://wpimg-wscn.awtmt.com/8c712a5b-25dc-4d20-b2e5-7e748efbe22c.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://wpimg-wscn.awtmt.com/8c712a5b-25dc-4d20-b2e5-7e748efbe22c.png"/>
CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun
Beyond Gao Huan's technical analysis, CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun also expressed his views: &#34;Scientific spirit is first and foremost not about innovation impulse, but the ability to falsify. If someone claims to solve all problems with a magical method, they are either lying or haven't been tested by the market.&#34;
Consequently, CATL has invested over 100 billion RMB in R&amp;D over the past decade, with investments exceeding 20 billion RMB alone in 2025. The goal of these investments is to exhaust the possibilities of electrochemistry and materials science, pushing the boundaries further.
The latest outcomes include five new battery types presented at this launch event, each categorized and adapted for different needs:
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CATL Provides Multiple Battery Solutions
For pure electric vehicles under 250,000 RMB with ranges under 1,000 km, the third-generation Shenheng ultra-fast charging battery is used. Considering that LFP technology is gradually approaching its theoretical energy density limit, CATL chose ultra-fast charging and longevity as research directions. This resulted in a charging speed from 10% to 98% in just 6 minutes and 27 seconds (equivalent to 10C), while maintaining over 90% capacity retention after 1,000 complete cycles.
For pure electric vehicles over 250,000 RMB with ranges exceeding 1,000 km, the third-generation Qilin battery is employed. Not only does it feature high energy density, but its discharge power is also more than double that of the previous generation, better meeting the demands of high-end vehicles.
For extended-range and hybrid vehicles, the second-generation Xiaoyao super extended-range/hybrid battery is utilized. The new generation focuses on addressing current pain points such as weak power when battery levels are low and frequent charging requirements. It offers three material options: LFP, LFP-ternary composite systems, and ternary, achieving ranges of 500-600 km. Even with 20% charge remaining, it can still deliver 80% of its power output.
In northern cold regions, the Sodium-Xin battery is used. This battery will enter large-scale production by the end of 2026. Its advantage lies in the low diffusion resistance of sodium ions in the electrolyte and electrodes at low temperatures, meaning battery capacity and power output remain largely unaffected. Additionally, it prevents lithium dendrite formation at the anode, allowing direct low-temperature fast charging without preheating.
Coming next is the Qilin Condensed State battery, with cell energy densities reaching 350Wh/kg. This enables sedans to achieve ranges of 1,500 km and full-size three-row, six-seater SUVs to break the 1,000 km range barrier, all while keeping the battery pack weight under 650 kg.
<img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://wpimg-wscn.awtmt.com/e5aee249-6cd2-4f8c-873d-48e62d104ee7.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" alt="" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://wpimg-wscn.awtmt.com/e5aee249-6cd2-4f8c-873d-48e62d104ee7.png"/>
CATL's Swap Stations Will Be Equipped with Shenheng Ultra-Fast Charging Piles Across the Board
In addition to these five battery types, CATL also introduced the integrated swap-and-charge station. In the future, passenger car chocolate swap stations and heavy truck Qiji swap stations will all be equipped with Shenheng ultra-fast charging piles. By utilizing batteries within the station as energy storage, there is no need for additional external storage cabinets, yet the system can achieve ultra-fast charging power outputs exceeding grid capacity, simultaneously satisfying both swap and ultra-fast charging needs.
According to plans, CATL aims to build 4,000 integrated swap-and-charge stations by the end of 2026, covering nearly 190 cities and a highway network comprising 12 vertical and 11 horizontal routes. By the end of 2028, it plans to co-build over 100,000 shared energy replenishment infrastructure facilities with automakers and energy partners.
Additionally, CATL unveiled a larger version of the chocolate swap battery pack, the No. 26 battery module, designed for B-to-C class passenger cars. Adopting an 800V high-voltage architecture with a capacity of 75 kWh, higher capacity versions will follow. Thus, the chocolate swap solution now covers the complete vehicle matrix from A0 to C classes.
From five batteries covering the entire spectrum of chemical systems to the implementation of an integrated swap-and-charge network, CATL has truly demonstrated what a third-party supplier should look like, establishing a fundamental distinction from automakers developing their own batteries.
CATL is advancing multiple routes simultaneously, covering scenarios from entry-level commuting to high-end long-range driving, and from low-temperature environments to energy storage applications. The core objective is to meet the differentiated needs of various automakers, ensuring that regardless of the vehicle model being developed, CATL's battery solutions are given priority consideration, thereby consolidating its position as the industry's absolute leading supplier.
In contrast, traditional automakers mostly focus on one or two battery routes. This is because their business logic directly targets scale; the higher the production volume of a single battery type, the more effectively R&amp;D, manufacturing, and supply chain costs can be diluted, ultimately converting this advantage into terminal pricing to protect profit margins.
One strategy expands outward, seeking total volume across the entire product line, while the other converges inward, focusing on a single point to minimize costs. Neither approach is absolutely superior or inferior; they are simply two choices under industrial division of labor.
Source: Auto Industry Chronicle
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At the Super Tech Day event, CATL Chief Technology Officer Gao Huan stated that using Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) batteries for electric vehicles priced above 250,000 RMB constitutes a de facto downgrading, arguing that Ternary Lithium batteries are more suitable for high-end long-range models. He pointed out that LFP batteries have lower energy density, requiring added weight to achieve long range, which negatively impacts energy consumption and handling. CATL's third-generation Qilin battery offers advantages in both energy density and weight, significantly enhancing vehicle performance and safety. Chairman Zeng Yuqun emphasized the importance of scientific spirit and R&D investment

- Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) emphasizes the superiority of ternary lithium batteries for high-end electric vehicles (EVs) with long ranges, critiquing lithium iron phosphate batteries in vehicles priced over 250,000 yuan.  
- The company unveiled a series of batteries tailored for different vehicle segments, including innovations for ultra-fast charging and a sodium-based battery for cold climates, aiming to reduce weight and improve efficiency.  
- CATL plans to establish a network of battery swap stations by 2026, enhancing its position as a key supplier in the evolving EV market while catering to diverse manufacturer needs.

CATL: Using LFP Batteries in EVs Priced Above 250,000 RMB is De Facto Downgrading