[3.2 Lithium Battery News] Three Departments Announce Further Promotion of New Energy City Buses and Power Battery Equipment Upgrades

【Insider: Xiaomi Group Plans to Expand the Scale of Its Second EV Factory】According to an insider, Xiaomi Group plans to expand the scale of its second EV production factory under construction in Beijing. Xiaomi began building its second factory in the Yizhuang area of Beijing last year, purchasing a 53-hectare plot of land for 842 million yuan ($116 million). The factory is scheduled to start production mid-year. The insider stated that Xiaomi will incorporate an adjacent 52-hectare plot for the expansion. The insider requested anonymity as the information has not yet been made public. (Bloomberg)

【Three Departments: Further Promote the Renewal of New Energy City Buses and Power Battery Equipment, with an Average Subsidy of 80,000 Yuan Per Vehicle】The General Offices of the Ministry of Transport, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), and the Ministry of Finance issued the "2025 Implementation Rules for Subsidies for the Renewal of New Energy City Buses and Power Batteries." Using ultra-long-term special treasury bonds, fixed subsidies will be provided to urban bus companies for renewing new energy city buses and replacing power batteries. It encourages reasonable selection of bus lengths for replacement based on passenger flow changes and the development of the urban bus industry. The average subsidy per vehicle is 80,000 yuan, with 42,000 yuan per vehicle for power battery replacement. Local governments will independently determine subsidy standards for renewing new energy city buses based on the demand and proportion of vehicles and battery replacements.

【NIO's Third Brand Firefly to Launch Its First Model on April 19, Integrating Into NIO's Battery Swapping System】NIO's third brand, Firefly, announced today that its first model will be launched on April 19, with deliveries starting immediately. It is reported that Firefly will establish its first demonstration operation stations in core cities this year, providing battery swapping, battery health monitoring, and full life cycle maintenance services for users. Subsequently, Firefly will integrate into NIO's fifth-generation battery swapping stations using existing battery specifications and swapping standards. Additionally, based on the strategic cooperation agreement between NIO and CATL, Firefly's future products under pre-research will adopt CATL's Chocolate battery swapping standards and network at an appropriate time.

【Zhonglun New Material: Company's PHA Lithium Battery Film Can Be Indirectly Applied to Solid-State Batteries】Zhonglun New Material stated on its interactive platform that its PHA lithium battery film can be indirectly applied to solid-state batteries. PHA is one of the layers of aluminum-plastic film, a packaging material for pouch lithium batteries. Its direct downstream customers are aluminum-plastic film manufacturers such as PTL and Zijiang New Material, which then sell the aluminum-plastic film to battery producers. The company is a major supplier of nylon layers for aluminum-plastic films, excluding Japanese manufacturers. The company closely monitors the latest developments in the solid-state battery industry. It is understood that pouch designs can effectively address the flexibility issues of solid-state battery electrolytes, reducing the risk of battery rupture under pressure or deformation and enhancing safety. Moreover, pouch batteries have advantages in weight, energy density, and driving range. From a technical perspective, pouch designs may be the most suitable assembly process for solid-state batteries.

【SK On Signs Multi-Year Battery Supply Contract with Nissan】South Korean battery manufacturer SK On announced that it has signed a battery supply contract with Nissan. The batteries produced will be supplied to Nissan's factory in Mississippi, US. The supply will begin in 2028 and last for six years.

【Neta Auto: Recent Online Rumors About "Dissolution of R&D Team" Are False】Neta Auto issued a statement on the 19th, stating that recent online rumors about "Neta Auto dissolving its R&D team" are false. The company is currently optimizing its organization and processes to further reduce costs and improve efficiency. The company reserves the right to pursue legal action against the dissemination of false information that damages its reputation. Click for Details