CATL's First Super Technology Day Released These Signals

The 2025 Shanghai Auto Show is about to open, with companies gearing up and vying to hold new product launch events. On April 21, CATL held its first Super Tech Day and released three power battery products – Sodium-Ion Passenger NEV Battery, Shenyao Dual-Core Battery, and the second-generation Shenxing Ultra-Charge Battery – as well as a storage battery product, the 24V Heavy Truck Start-Stop Integrated Sodium-Ion Battery. Among the new products, CATL's dual-core architecture (including high-voltage dual-core, low-voltage dual-core, structural dual-core, thermal runaway safety protection dual-core, and thermal management dual-core), self-generated anode battery technology (which no longer uses traditional graphite anode material but allows elements to deposit on the current collector in metallic form, increasing volumetric energy density by 60% and gravimetric energy density by 50%), and "electric range extension" technology (which intelligently regulates the distribution strategy of two energy zones based on vehicle driving status and user habits) were involved. After the conclusion of CATL's first Super Tech Day on April 21, in the evening, Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, Huan Gao, Chief Technology Officer for Domestic Passenger and Commercial Vehicles, and Jian Luo, General Manager of Marketing, gave interviews to The STAR Market Daily and other media, introducing and answering questions about the newly launched products and related technologies.

How Does Self-Generated Anode Technology Affect Cathode and Anode Materials

The STAR Market Daily noticed that the industry is highly interested in CATL's self-generated anode technology. "The concept of anode-free has been around for a while, even in the lithium battery field, but it's indeed challenging," an industry insider told The STAR Market Daily. According to the introduction, in the self-generated anode technology, CATL no longer uses traditional graphite anode materials but allows elements to deposit on the current collector in metallic form, which can increase the volumetric energy density by 60% and the gravimetric energy density by 50%, allowing more power to be configured in the same battery pack space, supporting longer driving ranges. Additionally, CATL's self-generated anode technology can be adapted to multiple material systems. For example, when paired with sodium-ion systems, the energy density can reach 350Wh/L; with phosphate systems, it can reach 680-780Wh/L; and with ternary systems, it can exceed 1000Wh/L.

Below is the interview transcript, with some content omitted:

Q: Can you provide more details about the self-generated anode battery technology?

Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: The self-generated anode battery technology we released is actually quite simple, aiming to solve the core issue of how metals can be stably applied, though this poses significant technical challenges. From a timeline perspective, we have already resolved many core technical issues at the technological level.

Q: Since the self-generated anode technology abandons traditional graphite anode materials, what are the initial costs? Will there be changes in cathode usage? Will this technology significantly impact traditional graphite anode material producers?

Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: The ultimate goal of self-generated anode technology is to reduce costs by eliminating the use of traditional graphite anode materials, but this will take some time to achieve. Currently, to realize self-generated anodes, we need to do extra work (such as using special materials and additives), which may increase costs. As for cathode usage, there is currently not much impact; it only changes the anode strategy and makes some adjustments to the entire chemical system. The cathode might require some additional components to simplify the process, and corresponding complex measures might also be needed. Therefore, it cannot be simply stated that there is a significant impact. The impact on traditional graphite anode material producers depends on the development speed of self-generated anode technology. If it develops rapidly, the impact could be relatively large, but the overall impact is not yet very clear.

Sodium-Ion Power Batteries to Begin Mass Production in December

Currently, sodium-ion batteries, along with ternary lithium and LFP batteries, constitute the mainstream categories of power batteries. At CATL's first Super Tech Day, the company launched a new sodium-ion battery brand, CATL Sodium New, covering passenger NEV batteries and heavy truck storage batteries. The CATL Sodium New - 24V Heavy Truck Start-Stop Integrated Battery will begin mass production in June, debuting in FAW Jiefang models; in the passenger vehicle sector, CATL Sodium New power batteries will officially start mass production in December 2025, debuting in the chocolate battery swap model. In December last year, at CATL's battery swapping strategy conference, the company announced collaborations with Changan, GAC, BAIC, Wuling, and FAW, jointly launching ten battery swap models.

Below is the interview transcript, with some content omitted:

Q: With the price of lithium carbonate now relatively stable, why introduce a new sodium-ion battery product considering cost factors?

Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: When lithium prices were at their peak a few years ago, the industry paid more attention to sodium-ion batteries. However, many companies were already working on sodium-ion batteries, which promoted the maturation of the related supply chain. On the other hand, with technological advancements, the cost of sodium-ion batteries can continue to decrease. As to when sodium-ion batteries will become cheaper than lithium-ion batteries, this requires further technological progress and the continuous growth of the supply chain. At some point in the future, it will definitely be achievable.

Q: Which models will the Sodium New battery be applied to first? What is CATL's commercial strategy for market promotion?

Huan Gao, Chief Technology Officer for Domestic Passenger and Commercial Vehicles, CATL: From the data presented at the launch, the energy density of the Sodium New battery is slightly lower compared to current LFP, but it excels in low-temperature performance. The CATL Sodium New - 24V Heavy Truck Start-Stop Integrated Battery will begin mass production in June, debuting in FAW Jiefang models. In the passenger NEV battery sector, we will prioritize promoting it within our chocolate battery swap system, meaning all models collaborating with our chocolate battery swap system have the opportunity to be equipped with our Sodium New battery. Additionally, other automakers are individually discussing customized battery packs with us, tailored to their specific models. Therefore, from a medium and long-term perspective, as the maturity and commercialization of sodium-ion batteries increase, they have the potential to replace half of the current LFP battery market.

Customized Battery Performance: From "Dual-Core" to "Multi-Core"

The Shenyao Dual-Core Battery combines CATL's dual-core architecture and self-generated anode technology. The dual-core architecture means the battery pack has two "independent energy zones" and possesses five dual-core functions, including high-voltage dual-core, low-voltage dual-core, structural dual-core, thermal management dual-core, and thermal runaway safety protection dual-core. This dual-core design and intelligent software collaboration will provide power for vehicles in the future L3 and L4 autonomous driving era. At the end of CATL's Super Tech Day on April 21, Chairman Zeng Yuqun took the stage and said, "The breakthrough in the sodium-ion battery system is significant, opening up resource boundaries. The maturation of sodium-ion batteries accelerates the arrival of the 'multi-core era,' and the application of multi-core technology means accelerating the industrialization of new energy across all scenarios." The STAR Market Daily learned that CATL's innovation from dual-core to multi-core will not be limited to the NEV passenger vehicle sector but will also be implemented in electric buses, heavy trucks, aircraft, ships, and commercial and industrial fields. It will also accelerate the application of cutting-edge technologies such as solid-state batteries.

Below is the interview transcript, with some content omitted:

Q: How should the Shenyao Dual-Core Battery be understood? How does it differ from the previously launched Kirin and Shenxing batteries?

Jian Luo, General Manager of Marketing, CATL: In the past, our Kirin and Shenxing batteries were more focused on product and performance. The dual-core battery, however, is primarily centered on customer needs. The second half of the new energy competition is about who better understands consumers and can define products that truly meet their needs, and that will be the ultimate winner.

Q: How does CATL's dual-core architecture address thermal management and BMS (Battery Management System) algorithm issues to ensure the stability of a complex system?

Huan Gao, Chief Technology Officer for Domestic Passenger and Commercial Vehicles, CATL: CATL has been laying out the thermal management and BMS algorithms for dual-core batteries for a long time, and we have sufficient technical reserves. The dual-core architecture can be understood as two different chemical systems, meaning their sensitivity to heat is different. Therefore, we operate them through a method similar to independent zone control air conditioning in a car. The two energy fields can switch in milliseconds under various conditions.

Q: Will the dual-core battery be more expensive?

Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: The dual-core battery is a combination of multiple technologies, so it might be more expensive or cheaper. Jian Luo, General Manager of Marketing, CATL: In the hexagon, one side is absolute cost. That means, with the same cost, you can get a product with better hexagonal performance. Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: If I have the same amount of money, I can definitely buy a better product, and that can be said.

Q: The Shenyao Dual-Core Battery essentially belongs to the range extender series. Is the introduction of the dual-core and multi-core "stimulus policy package" aimed at disrupting the range-extended hybrid technology route, or what is the idea behind it?

Chuying Ouyang, Co-President of R&D System and President of 21C Institute, CATL: We believe that whether it's dual-core or multi-core, it represents the ultimate direction for the future, solving different needs in various scenarios. Strictly speaking, the multi-core battery of Shenyao does not conflict with plug-in hybrids and range extenders; it is a diverse power supply.

Q: What is the timeline for the mass production and vehicle integration of the new products launched at the first Super Tech Day?

Huan Gao, Chief Technology Officer for Domestic Passenger and Commercial Vehicles, CATL: The mass production timeline for each product is different. We will soon see the release of smart driving-compatible power batteries based on CATL's dual-core architecture. For the sodium-iron dual-core battery, we are currently in the early stages of communicating with automakers to sort out their requirements. For the LFP dual-core, we plan to start communicating with customers about their needs and compliance plans next year.