Chinese battery giant CATL has successfully tested a 4-ton civil electric aircraft propelled by its ultra-high energy density battery technology, CnEVPost reported.
This significant milestone is a crucial step for the company to deliver its planned 8-ton electric aircraft with up to 1,800 miles between 2027 and 2028.
CATL battery powers 4-ton electric aircraft
CATL Chairman Robin (Zeng) Yuqin announced the major milestone at the 15th Annual Meeting of the New Champions of the World Economic Forum (Summer Davos Forum) in China on Tuesday.
The CATL boss revealed that the electric plane uses the company’s Condensed Battery. This ultra-high energy density battery technology can seamlessly support ” long-range flight.”
While CATL reported success in test-flying a 4-ton aircraft, reaching commercialization requires the same success with an 8-ton aircraft or even above.
In hindsight, CATL officially unveiled its new ultra energy-dense Condensed Battery at the Auto Show in Shanghai in April 2023. At the time, we already knew the world’s largest battery maker was working on something huge.
CATL teased its ambition to open up a “brand-new electrification scenario of passenger aircraft” with its innovative battery tech. For context, it boasts up to 500 Wh/kg energy density in a single cell, representing a twofold increase compared to an average electric vehicle.
CATL has collaborated with aviation industry players like Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) to develop electric airplanes. CATL and COMAC formed a joint venture in July 2023.
In a significant advancement, CATL managed to complete a 4-ton electric aircraft test flight using its cutting-edge battery while making strides in developing longer-range models.
Looking forward
CATL declared its plans on Tuesday to launch a new 8-ton commercial electric aircraft in 2027 or 2028. It will reportedly arrive with a standardized range of around 1,200 to 1,800 miles (2,000 to 3,000 km).
In addition, Chairman Yuqin also disclosed that CATL is developing a next-gen sodium-ion battery technology with lower cost and better low-temperature performance. CATL expects to launch these new batteries as early as 2025. The CATL executive even teased that these new batteries are already at a 7 based on the company’s 1-10 scoring system.
CATL’s dominance
CATL remains the largest electric vehicle battery maker in the world in 2024.
According to SNE Research’s data, CATL made up more than 37% of the overall market in the January to April 2024 period. Chinese NEV and battery giant BYD trailed behind with a 15.4% market share.
CATL’s dominance is expected to further expand, considering its tremendous supplies to major OEMs like Tesla, BMW, and Volkswagen, among others.
CATL also aims to launch two new foreign battery factories on top of the planned six plants in Germany, Thailand, Hungary, Indonesia, and two in the US.
