CATL has introduced its Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, a hybrid vehicle battery that CATL said achieves a pure electric range exceeding 400 kilometers (approx. 248 miles) and features 4C superfast charging. The Freevoy battery is designed for hybrid vehicles, addressing the frequent charging requirements typical of existing hybrid vehicles, CATL said. The battery provides over 280 kilometers (173 miles) of range with just 10 minutes of charging, according to CATL.

The battery incorporates a surface modification technology for the cathode material, combined with a high-voltage electrolyte formulation, to form a nano protective layer, CATL said, which reduces side reactions within the active layer. Supported by CATL’s SOC full-scene high-precision model and upgraded BMS intelligent algorithm and hardware, the SOC control accuracy of Freevoy has increased by 40%, and the overall pure electric utilization rate has improved by more than 10%, according to the company. CATL said its model data analysis on charge-discharge polarization characteristics has led to a multi-level power prediction and control strategy, improving hybrid vehicle power performance by 20%.

CATL said 4C ultra-fast charging technology is made possible through cathode fast ion conductor coating technology, second-generation fast-charging graphite, novel nano-coating technologies for the anode, multi-gradient layered electrode design, and a new ultra-high conductivity electrolyte formulation.

The Freevoy also incorporates CATL’s sodium-ion battery technology, overcoming low-temperature limitations, the company said. It achieves discharge capability in extreme cold environments down to -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit), charging capability down to -30 degrees Celsius (-22 degrees Fahrenheit), and maintains a seamless driving experience down to -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit).

To enhance low-temperature performance, CATL said it has implemented three key technological innovations centered around sodium-ion battery technology. These include the integration of sodium-ion and lithium-ion batteries using CATL’s AB battery system integration technology, improving low-temperature range by 5%, and the development of a full temperature range accurate BMS technology.

The Freevoy is designed for reliability and safety, with a comprehensive management and evaluation system in place, CATL said. This system covers material selection, molecular design, multi-level protection structures, manufacturing processes, testing and validation, and big data-driven early warning mechanisms.

The Freevoy battery is already in use in several models from brands such as Li Auto, AVATR, DEEPAL, CHANGAN NEVO, and NETA. By 2025, 30 hybrid vehicle models from brands including Geely, Chery, GAC, and VOYAH are expected to be equipped with CATL’s Freevoy, the company said.