【SMM Analysis】The Battle of Ultra-Fast Charging Technology: CATL vs. BYD

At the inaugural "Super Tech Day" in April 2025, CATL unveiled three major battery technologies – the second-generation Shenxing ultra-fast charging battery, the Soaring dual-core battery, and the sodium new battery, signaling its redefinition of future battery standards. Earlier in March, BYD launched the 10C flash-charging blade battery, representing an integrated control exploration for the energy replenishment loop of the vehicle platform. I. Overview of CATL's Three New Technologies 1. Second-Generation Shenxing Ultra-Fast Charging Battery (12C) This is the world’s first LFP battery to achieve an 800-kilometer driving range and support 12C ultra-fast charging, with core technology featuring ultra-crystalline graphite anode + intelligent electrolyte system: - Ultra-crystalline graphite anode material: Optimizes lithium-ion insertion rate; - Intelligent electrolyte system: Enhances SEI film stability through nanoscale liquid phase control; - Charging performance: 1.3 megawatts peak power, 75 kilometers of energy replenished in 30 seconds, 520 kilometers in 5 minutes; - All-temperature performance: Can charge from 5% to 80% within 15 minutes at -10°C. - Compatibility: Works with megawatt-level charging piles. This technology targets high-frequency travel and fast-charging scenarios such as highway service areas, representing CATL’s cutting-edge exploration into “extreme charging speed.” 2. Soaring Dual-Core Battery: System Innovation for Dual-Path Energy Release “Soaring” represents CATL’s concentrated expression of intelligent battery regulation capabilities across multiple scenarios, with highlights including: - Dual-core architecture: Uses two types of battery cells (sodium new battery + LFP self-generated anode battery, second-generation Shenxing ultra-fast charging battery + LFP self-generated anode battery, ternary battery + LFP self-generated anode battery, ternary battery + ternary self-generated anode battery) paired through intelligent algorithms to achieve dual-path release of “high C-rate output” and “long driving range maintenance”; - Self-generated anode: To balance lightweight and fast-charging performance, some cells do not pre-set traditional anode materials but generate them in situ during the first charge. This increases volumetric energy density by 60% and gravimetric energy density by 50%. This provides more possibilities for battery scheduling in complex driving scenarios, such as balancing urban fast charging and long-range driving on highways. 3. Sodium New Battery: A Breakthrough Solution for Low Temperature and Cost In response to fluctuations in lithium resource prices and extreme environmental conditions, CATL introduced a sodium-ion battery for passenger vehicles and heavy trucks: - Energy density: 175Wh/kg; - Fast-charging capability: Supports 5C rate; - Temperature adaptability: Can release 90% capacity at -40°C; - Industrialization progress: Expected to be mass-produced by the end of 2025, initially equipped in the chocolate battery swapping model. The sodium new battery is positioned as a resource-friendly and extreme environment-adaptive solution, particularly suitable for northern regions, low-speed battery swapping, or commercial scenarios. II. Self-Generated Anode: A Paradigm Shift in Battery Structure Design “Self-generated anode” is a key new technology proposed by CATL in the Soaring dual-core battery, changing the traditional construction method of battery anode materials. Previously, battery manufacturers would first produce complete anode sheets from materials like graphite in the factory, then coat, press, cut, and assemble them. Although this method is mature, it is complex, takes up more volume, and has limited room for improving energy density. The “self-generated anode” skips all these steps: - In structural design, the factory only retains a copper foil current collector inside the battery as the “anode skeleton”; - During the first charge, by controlling voltage, current, and electrolyte composition, active ions (such as sodium or lithium ions) automatically reduce and deposit on the copper foil surface; - The deposited active layer becomes the new “anode material,” which will handle energy storage and release functions in future battery cycles. This process has three key advantages: - Lightweight: Without the thickness and weight burden of traditional anode materials, it frees up space for increasing battery capacity and energy density; - High C-rate response: The self-generated anode interface is more active and better suited for high-speed ion insertion/extraction, making it ideal for fast-charging scenarios; - Reduced cost and complexity: Eliminates multiple anode production processes, enhancing manufacturing efficiency. From an industry perspective, this is a significant step towards “intelligent in-situ generation” in battery material engineering, similar to upgrading from “hand-assembled furniture” to “on-site 3D printing.” This not only brings performance innovation to batteries but also has the potential to rewrite the manufacturing logic of future battery cells. III. CATL vs. BYD: Divergence in Technology Pathways and Industry Strategies Core Dimensions CATL BYD Technology Logic Material-driven innovation, emphasizing cell performance limits System integration optimization, emphasizing platform coordination and user experience Fast-Charging Rate 12C, the highest in the industry 10C, optimized voltage platform and current transmission Application Approach Targeting multiple OEMs, building a “technology standard + supply chain platform” Deep integration with own models, forming a “closed-loop ecosystem + fast-charging system” Industry Ecosystem Requires promoting 12C pile standardization, higher promotion difficulty Synchronous deployment of fast-charging piles, clear implementation path Strategic Direction Aiming for high-end technology, seizing next-generation fast-charging discourse Improving system efficiency and experience stability, rapid replication and scaling In March 2025, BYD released the 10C flash-charging blade battery, integrating its “super e-platform” and 1500V high-voltage architecture, emphasizing system-level integration capabilities: - Cell structure optimization: Reconstructs ion channels based on the original thermal management and structure of the blade battery, reducing internal resistance; - System integration: Paired with SiC controllers and 1-megawatt flash-charging piles, the vehicle platform supports up to 1000A current; - Charging performance: On the BYD Han L model, 400 kilometers of energy can be replenished in 5 minutes, and full charging can be completed in 24 minutes at -30°C; - Platform application: First batch of mass-produced models include Tang L and Han L, supporting OTA adjustment of charging strategies. BYD focuses on the integrated engineering realization of the whole vehicle-battery-energy replenishment equipment, embodying a “technical closed-loop + commercial implementation” design approach. SMM New Energy Research Team Wang Cong 021-51666838 Ma Rui 021-51595780 Feng Disheng 021-51666714 Lv Yanlin 021-20707875 Zhou Zhicheng 021-51666711 Zhang Haohan 021-51666752 Wang Zihan 021-51666914 Wang Jie 021-51595902 Xu Yang 021-51666760 Yang Lianting 021-51595835 Yang Le 021-51595898