China’s leading battery manufacturer, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), has unveiled a groundbreaking hybrid battery named Freevoy, marking a significant leap in electric vehicle (EV) technology. Announced on Thursday in Beijing, Freevoy is poised to redefine the hybrid vehicle market with its exceptional range and rapid charging capabilities.
Freevoy stands as the world’s first hybrid battery offering a range exceeding 400 kilometers. Remarkably, a mere 10-minute charge can boost the driving distance by over 280 kilometers, as stated by Gao Huan, Chief Technology Officer of CATL’s China E-car Business. This advancement addresses critical challenges in the EV industry, including range anxiety and charging efficiency.
The innovative battery integrates both sodium-ion and lithium-ion technologies, enabling superior performance even in extreme cold. Freevoy operates efficiently in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius during discharging and minus 30 degrees Celsius when recharging. This development is particularly significant for regions experiencing harsh winter climates.
Chinese consumers are increasingly favoring hybrid vehicles due to their greater driving range compared to pure EVs and cost advantages over gasoline-powered cars. According to data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, hybrid sales in the first nine months of this year reached 3.32 million units, an 84.2 percent increase year on year.
“The penetration rate of hybrid vehicles in the new energy vehicle (NEV) market reached 43 percent, which is a force that cannot be ignored in the electrification process,” emphasized Luo Jian, CATL’s Chief Marketing Officer.
Freevoy has already been adopted by various Chinese EV enterprises, including Li Auto and AVATR, and is expected to be installed in models made by other carmakers such as Geely and Chery.
According to market research firm SNE Research, CATL has held the top position globally in EV battery consumption volume for seven consecutive years, commanding 36.8 percent of the global EV battery market share in 2023.
Headquartered in Ningde, Fujian Province, CATL has established supply contracts with numerous global car manufacturers, including BMW, Volkswagen, Daimler, and Honda.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
