CATL has introduced the Freevoy battery, designed for extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), focusing on addressing challenges of limited electric range, slow charging, and reduced performance in cold temperature with just one charge and extending the pure electric range to over 400 kilometres (km).
This is through advancements in battery materials, including a fast-charging cathode material and a high-voltage electrolyte that minimizes unwanted reactions. Freevoy’s structure enhances lithium-ion movement, aided by CATL’s high-precision model for state-of-charge (SOC) control, which has increased accuracy by 40% and improved the electric range utilization by more than 10%.
It also includes CATL’s fast 4C charging, utilizing technologies like fast ion conductor coatings on the cathode, advanced nano-coatings on the anode, and a high-conductivity electrolyte. These enable Freevoy-equipped hybrids to perform comparably to fully electric vehicles in terms of charging.
Freevoy incorporates CATL’s sodium-ion battery technology. This enables discharge in extreme cold down to -40°C, charging at -30°C, and consistent performance at -20°C. CATL’s AB battery system integration technology combines sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries, enhancing low-temperature range by 5%.
Already used by brands such as Li Auto, AVATR, and Changan, Freevoy is set to be featured in 30 hybrid vehicle models by 2025, including those from Geely, Chery, GAC, and VOYAH. This new battery system focuses on advancing hybrid and electric vehicle technology to facilitate the wider adoption of electrified transport.
