CATL launches battery innovations to strengthen global market leadership

BEIJING, April 21 (Reuters) - China's CATL 300750.SZ on Tuesday showcased a slew of technological advancements in electric vehicle batteries, aiming to set new industry benchmarks and bolster its dominant global position.

In a 90-minute event in Beijing, CATL launched its latest-generation Qilin battery, enabling a lighter battery pack to deliver a 1,000-km (621-mile) driving range per charge. The product aims to meet increasing demand from automakers grappling with stricter energy efficiency regulations in China and internationally.

CATL also introduced an upgraded Shenxing battery, capable of charging from 10% to 98% in under seven minutes, designed to alleviate EV users' range anxiety.

The company plans to begin mass delivery of sodium-ion batteries in the fourth quarter, offering what Chairman Robin Zeng called a "resource-resilient option for future large-scale and wide-reaching energy transitions".

"For China's technology to go global, it must rely not only on scale driven by quantity and speed but also on high-quality innovation and verifiable capabilities," said Zeng.

"We hope that what goes global is not just Chinese products but also the credibility of Chinese brands. This is not only about the reputation of a single company but also about the reputation of the nation."

The battery giant is leveraging the launch of its latest technologies ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, which begins on Friday, to align with policy directives that prioritise value over volume in the supply chain.

EV batteries remain the primary revenue driver for CATL, which has retained its global leadership by serving a diverse range of customers, including Tesla TSLA.O, Xiaomi 1810.HK, and Toyota 7203.T.

Companies such as Seres 601127.SS, Leapmotor 9863.HK and Dongfeng Nissan have promoted CATL as their battery supplier in marketing campaigns for new EV models.

According to SNE Research, CATL increased its market share in global EV battery usage to 42.1% in the first two months of the year, up from 38.7% during the same period last year.