CATL Unveils New Batteries and Expands Battery-Swap Ecosystem; Changan Integrates Deepal and Avatr; Geely Outlines 2030 Global Strategy

On April 21, Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) held its "Super Tech Day" event in Beijing, unveiling its third-generation Shenxing ultra-fast charging battery, third-generation Qilin battery, Qilin Condensed Battery, second-generation Xiaoyao Super Hybrid+ battery, and Na-Xin sodium-ion battery. CATL also launched its comprehensive “Ultra Swap & Charge Integrated” all-scenario energy replenishment network plan. Among the new products, the third-generation Shenxing ultra-fast charging battery achieves a state of charge (SOC) increase from 10% to 98% in just 6 minutes and 27 seconds at ambient temperature, and from 20% to 98% in approximately 9 minutes under extreme cold conditions of -30°C. The third-generation Qilin battery delivers an energy density of 280 Wh/kg, supports a range of 1,000 kilometers, and comes standard with 10C ultra-fast charging capability. The Qilin Condensed Battery features a cell-level energy density of 350 Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of 760 Wh/L, having already passed validation through the maiden flight of a 4-ton commercial aircraft. The second-generation Xiaoyao battery offers a pure electric range of 600 km (ternary version) and includes 10C ultra-fast charging as standard across all variants. Mass production of the Na-Xin sodium-ion battery is expected by the end of 2026. On the same day, at Changan Automobile Group’s Global Strategy Launch Event, Changan announced a strategic integration of its two new energy vehicle brands—Deepal and Avatr—to be completed by the end of 2024. Following integration, both brands will maintain independent front-end operations while synergizing mid- and back-end functions, aiming to build a premium and mid-to-high-end brand cluster with combined annual sales exceeding 1.5 million units, of which over 40% will come from overseas markets. Changan set a global sales target of 4–5 million vehicles by 2030, with more than 60% being new energy vehicles. Avatr and Deepal are targeting annual sales of 500,000 and 1 million units, respectively. Also on April 21, Geely Auto unveiled its 2030 overseas strategy at the 2026 International Business Partner Conference, planning to launch more than 10 new energy vehicle models for international markets, with overseas sales accounting for over one-third of total sales and a market share goal of 5%. Geely intends to use Southeast Asia as its strategic hub, leveraging the AHTV Industrial Park in Malaysia to establish a localized, integrated production-sales-service base with an annual capacity of 500,000 units. Simultaneously, Geely will focus on high-end markets in Europe and North America, utilizing Volvo and Renault’s channel resources to drive scaled expansion. In Q1 2026, Geely’s overseas sales exceeded 203,000 units, up 126% year-on-year. Its full-year 2026 overseas sales target is 750,000 units, with a goal of surpassing 1 million units in 2027. On April 24, Li Auto globally debuted its all-new Li L9 Livis at the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, with official launch and deliveries scheduled to begin on May 15. The vehicle measures 5,255 mm in length, 2,000 mm in width, and 1,810 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. Featuring a seamless surface design that eliminates 12 sensor apertures, it is equipped with UWB radar. The new model integrates an 800V active suspension system, a fully-by-wire chassis (including steer-by-wire, rear-wheel steering, and mechanical brake-by-wire), a 5C extended-range powertrain, dual Mach 100 chips delivering a total computing power of 2,560 TOPS, and a next-generation intelligent cockpit. On April 25, Chery Automobile signed a strategic cooperation agreement with CATL, Enerverse (CATL’s battery swap subsidiary), and Chery Green Energy to jointly build a digital, zero-carbon, charge-and-swap-compatible energy replenishment network. Chery will develop vehicles compatible with battery swapping, while CATL and Enerverse will handle the development and supply of swap batteries. Chery Green Energy will provide comprehensive green energy solutions across all scenarios, accelerating large-scale implementation of “vehicle-energy integration.”