On October 24th, CATL held the official launch event for its super hybrid battery brand and new products, with Diantong invited to participate online. At this event, CATL introduced its XiaoYao super hybrid battery brand, themed "Freedom, Pointing to the Distance," along with its first XiaoYao super hybrid battery product.

(Image source: CATL)

CATL noted that current hybrid models (including plug-in hybrids and extended-range electric vehicles) suffer from shortcomings such as short pure electric range, slow charging speeds, and poor low-temperature performance. The launch of the XiaoYao super hybrid battery, specifically designed for hybrid models, aims to address these issues.

The XiaoYao super hybrid battery innovatively integrates lithium-sodium AB battery technology, effectively overcoming the current limitation of low energy density in sodium-ion batteries. By deploying sodium-ion batteries in low-temperature areas, it leverages their strong low-temperature performance, improving low-temperature range by 5% and enabling discharge even at -40°C and normal charging at -30°C.

(Image source: CATL)

This battery offers a pure electric range of up to 400 kilometers and supports 4C super-fast charging, replenishing 280 kilometers of range in just 10 minutes of charging. With the increasing popularity of large batteries and fuel tanks, the combined range of future hybrid models is expected to exceed 2,000 kilometers. In contrast, pure electric vehicles priced under 200,000 yuan typically offer a range of 300 to 550 kilometers and charging power of 2C to 3C, inferior to the XiaoYao super hybrid battery's capabilities.

In terms of safety, the XiaoYao super hybrid battery incorporates second-generation non-thermal propagation technology and pioneers smoke and high-voltage active isolation technology, passing extreme environment tests such as extreme cold and gunfire. Thanks to factory inspection technology and over 400 verification items, the battery's cell failure rate has reached the PPB (parts per billion) level.

(Image source: CATL)

Lastly, CATL highlighted that the XiaoYao super hybrid battery supports battery-to-grid (B2G) technology, enabling bidirectional energy exchange between the battery and the power grid. According to CATL's calculations, by charging during off-peak hours at night and discharging during peak hours during the day, the XiaoYao hybrid battery can reverse transmit 33,000 kWh of electricity to the grid over its lifetime, generating over 20,000 yuan in revenue.

(Image source: CATL)

For a long time, hybrid models were considered transitional vehicles between traditional gasoline-powered cars and pure electric vehicles, with a limited lifespan. However, since 2023, domestic sales of hybrid models have grown significantly faster than those of pure electric vehicles. In July, August, and September of this year, the domestic new energy vehicle market share exceeded 50%, reaching 53%, with hybrid models accounting for 43% of this share, gradually catching up to pure electric vehicles.

Consumers prefer hybrid models due to their lack of range anxiety, low travel costs, and exemption from license plate lotteries in some cities. While CATL's Qilin battery, with a range of up to 1,000 kilometers, can significantly alleviate range anxiety, its limited availability and high cost (e.g., an optional 1,000-kilometer range battery pack for the older ZEEKR 001 costs 100,000 yuan) have made it less attractive to automakers. Given the still-high prices of battery packs and considering overall economics, hybrid models remain superior.

In China's vast territory, long-distance travel is inevitable. During holidays like Chinese New Year and National Day, when highways are congested, even refueling at some service stations can take up to several tens of minutes, let alone charging. With the charging infrastructure still incomplete, hybrid vehicles remain the best choice for ordinary consumers when purchasing a car. It is foreseeable that hybrid models will continue to outpace pure electric vehicles in sales growth for an extended period, eventually reaching or surpassing their sales figures.

CATL's XiaoYao super hybrid battery addresses the three major issues faced by hybrid vehicles, effectively enhancing their economics and convenience. It will significantly contribute to the sustained popularity of hybrid models. Currently, some extended-range models from automakers like SL03, Qiyuan, AVATR, and Nezha have already integrated the XiaoYao super hybrid battery, and more models are expected to follow suit in the future, enhancing the driving experience for car owners.

Source: Leitech