In the new energy vehicle industry, the technological advancement of hybrid vehicle batteries has been a key factor driving the market development. Recently, Chinese battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex (CATL) launched a new battery called the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, which marks a new era in the field of hybrid vehicle batteries with its superior performance and innovative technology.
The Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery is the world's first hybrid vehicle battery capable of achieving more than 400 kilometers of pure electric range and 4C super fast charging. This achievement solves consumer dissatisfaction with the all-electric experience of existing hybrid vehicles, including short range, slow charging, and reduced low-temperature performance. Hybrid vehicles combine the advantages of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor to provide longer range and lower energy consumption, but still have tailpipe emissions and higher maintenance costs. In contrast, BEVs offer the benefits of zero emissions and low operating costs, but are also relatively expensive to acquire due to the availability of battery life and charging infrastructure. Consumers need to weigh these factors when choosing to determine the best model for them. As technology advances, these challenges are expected to be addressed in the future, providing consumers with more diverse and eco-friendly mobility options.
More and more Chinese consumers are preferring extended-range electric vehicles because they have a higher range than pure electric vehicles and are less expensive than traditional combustion vehicles. In the first nine months of 2024, sales of range-extended electric vehicles more than doubled compared to the same period last year, including more than a dozen new models from Chinese brands such as Leapmotor and Li Auto, which are backed by Stellantis. Strong market demand has prompted CATL to develop new batteries for Chinese and overseas automakers.
Picture: CATL launched its first pure electric battery with a range of more than 400 kilometers (Source: Reuters)
According to industry insiders, CATL innovatively combines sodium-ion batteries with lithium-ion batteries in its Freevoy batteries, which allows the batteries to discharge normally in extremely cold conditions. Despite continued price competition in the EV segment, CATL's profit increased in the third quarter.
According to the China Automotive Power Battery Innovation Alliance, CATL's leadership in the Chinese market has been strengthened by its cost advantage and broad customer base, with its market share increasing by 3.1 percentage points in the first nine months of this year.
In contrast, second-placed BYD, which supplies almost all of its own batteries for its own electric vehicles, saw its market share drop by 4.28 percentage points, while third-ranked AVIC Lithium fell by 1.98 percentage points.
The technological innovations behind the Freevoy battery include surface modification technology for the cathode material, which, combined with an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formulation, creates a nano-protective layer that effectively reduces side reactions within the active layer. In addition, CATL has also successfully applied 4C ultra-fast charging technology to Freevoy batteries, achieving a range of more than 280 kilometers in 10 minutes.
What's more worth mentioning is that the Freevoy battery also integrates the sodium-ion battery technology of CATL, breaking the performance limitations of new energy vehicles in low-temperature environments. It can discharge even in extremely cold environments of minus 40 degrees Celsius, charge at minus 30 degrees Celsius, and maintain a seamless driving experience comparable to normal temperatures at minus 20 degrees Celsius.
The launch of this battery is not only a major breakthrough for CATL in the field of battery technology, but also a promotion for the entire new energy vehicle industry. With the continuous advancement and innovation of technology, the Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery is expected to provide consumers with more efficient and economical electric mobility options, while also bringing new development opportunities to the hybrid vehicle market.
