Sunita Somvanshi
CATL, the world’s largest battery manufacturer, is preparing to launch a long-lasting battery for electric buses. This battery is expected to last up to 15 years or 1.6 million kilometers, with an energy density of 175 Wh/kg. While this energy density is lower compared to other CATL developments that claim up to 500 Wh/kg, the focus for buses is on longevity rather than energy density.
CATL offers a 10-year or 966,000-kilometer warranty for this battery, guaranteeing at least 85% of the original capacity will remain by the end of the warranty period. During the first 1,000 charging cycles, the capacity is said to hardly decrease. This warranty surpasses competitors like Mercedes, which offers a 10-year warranty but only up to 250,000 km and guarantees only 70% of the original capacity.
The collaboration between CATL and Yutong, a Chinese bus manufacturer, dates back to 2012. Their partnership has led to significant innovations in battery technology for commercial vehicles and urban public transport. Yutong’s electric buses are already present in 40 countries, including Italy.
Looking to the future, solid-state battery technology appears particularly suitable for commercial vehicles due to its high energy density and faster charging speed. China is pushing for large-scale collaboration to consolidate its leadership in next-generation batteries, involving major players like CATL and BYD, as well as national automakers.
Similar Posts
CATL and BYD currently account for more than 50% of the global market for electric vehicle and bus batteries. CATL doubled its sales in both Europe and the United States in 2023, further widening the gap between China and the rest of the world in sustainable mobility technology.
The Tianxing family of batteries from CATL offers two types of products: the L Superfast Charging Edition and the L Long Range Edition. Both come with an 8-year or 800,000-kilometer factory warranty. The fast-charging batteries have a density of 155 Wh/kg and can handle 4C charging rates, potentially allowing a full charge in just 15 minutes. The long-range batteries offer an energy density of 200 Wh/kg with a range of up to 500 kilometers, depending on the vehicle type and load.
The company’s batteries incorporate several technologies to ensure longevity:
- Low-power lithium technology to stabilize the anode materials’ surface and structure
- A special film coating on the cathode to increase service life
- A “bionic self-healing electrolyte” that can partially reverse degradation within the solid electrolyte interface layer
Many global manufacturers, including BMW, Tesla, Volkswagen, and Toyota, use CATL batteries in their electric vehicles. While CATL’s advertisement suggests continuous use for many years, their official warranty covers 8 years or 800,000 kilometers, whichever comes first. This indicates that the claimed 1.6 million kilometers and 15 years of operational life may be potential rather than guaranteed figures, achievable under optimal conditions and with special care.
