CATL Unveils Third-Gen Qilin Ternary Battery and Shenxing PLUS LFP Battery

On April 22, CATL unveiled its third-generation Qilin battery at its Super Tech Day. Based on a ternary lithium chemistry, the battery achieves a gravimetric energy density of 280 Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of 600 Wh/L. When integrated into a 125 kWh battery pack, it enables vehicles to exceed 1,000 km of CLTC-rated range and supports ultra-fast charging in just six minutes. Dr. Huan Gao, Chief Technology Officer of CATL, stated that ternary lithium batteries, thanks to their superior energy density, are well-suited for premium long-range electric vehicles. Currently, mainstream ternary lithium cells offer energy densities of 200–250 Wh/kg, with high-end products surpassing 280 Wh/kg. In contrast, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries typically deliver only 140–180 Wh/kg and suffer approximately 30% capacity loss at -20°C, indicating weaker low-temperature performance. Nevertheless, LFP batteries retain significant market value: by 2025, their installed capacity in China is projected to reach 231.96 GWh, accounting for 69.5% of the total EV battery installations, primarily serving mid- to low-end vehicle segments. At the same event, CATL also introduced the Shenxing PLUS LFP battery targeting the mid-range market, emphasizing its 4C fast-charging capability. The company stressed the importance of clearly communicating the technical characteristics and optimal application scenarios of different battery chemistries to consumers.