CATL launches battery for PHEVs with 400 km range and 4C charging for “BEV-like” experience

CATL launched the Freevoy battery in Beijing today, which is dedicated to plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). It will support 4C fast charging and feature a more than 400 km range for a “BEV-like” experience.

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PHEVs have become very popular in China in the past year, with Li Auto being the pioneer as its lineup consisted of range-extended vehicles only until recently. BYD follows the trend as the PHEV share in its sales has grown in the last months.

In 2024 (January – September), domestic sales of PHEVs in China were 3 million vehicles, up 80% from the same period last year. For context, BEV sold 4.1 million vehicles in this period, which is only 18% up year-on-year.

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CATL wants to be part of this PHEV wave in China, and the new Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery will offer an experience like in an all-electric car for PHEVs and EREVs, the company claims.

“With just 10 minutes of charging, you can achieve a range of over 280 km, thanks to its 4C supercharging capabilities, effectively addressing concerns about slow charging. Furthermore, it ensures dependable performance even in cold conditions—perfect for the Nordic region, where cold weather can often hinder performance,” CATL announced.

An electric range-extended vehicle (EREV) is a type of PHEV in which ICE works as a range extender. The combustion engine is not connected to the wheels in any way; it only charges the battery or runs the electric motor.

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The C-rate measures how quickly a battery is charged or discharged. For example, a 1C rate means the battery can be fully charged from 0 to 100% in one hour. Analogically, the 4C rate means the battery can be fully charged four times in an hour or once in 15 minutes.

Chinese battery giant controlled 44% of the domestic market in September, installing 23.99 GWh battery capacity into electric vehicles, according to China EV DataTracker.