Li Auto Wins First Prize in Science and Technology from Chinese Materials Research Society for 2000IH Hot-Formed Steel

The 2026 China Materials Research Society (C-MRS) Science and Technology Award winners have been announced. The project titled "Key Technologies and Applications for Toughness Enhancement of High-Strength Steels Used in New Energy Vehicles," jointly submitted by Tsinghua University and Li Auto, has been awarded the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress. This award is conferred by the China Materials Research Society, a national-level academic society. The core achievement of the project is Li Auto’s independently developed 2000IH hot-stamped steel, which received Chinese patent authorization in June 2025. Over three years and with an investment of several million RMB, the research team overcame the longstanding technical bottleneck wherein increasing strength in conventional ultra-high-strength steels typically compromises toughness. By employing low-carbon composition design and precisely balancing multiple microalloying elements, they engineered multi-scale precipitates that simultaneously enhance strength, toughness, and resistance to hydrogen embrittlement. Experimental data show that under a free-fall impact from a 160-kg hammer dropped from a height of 3 meters, 2000IH exhibited no significant cracking and maintained controllable deformation. Its crash energy absorption capacity improved by 81% compared to previous materials, and its resistance to hydrogen embrittlement increased fivefold. The material has already been applied in mass-produced Li Auto models including the L9, L8, i8, and i6, contributing to these vehicles achieving the highest safety rating from the China Insurance Automotive Safety Assessment (C-IASI).