CATL Launches 5-Minute Charging Battery for Electric Vehicles, Surpassing BYD’s Range Capacity

Ningde Times has unveiled a new electric vehicle battery capable of charging in just 5 minutes, offering a range that surpasses that of BYD. On April 21, 2025, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery producer, Ningde Times New Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as CATL), showcased its latest battery products at a “Technology Day” event held in Shanghai. The company emphasized the durability and range of its products, addressing concerns that have hindered many consumers from switching to electric vehicles.

The event, which lasted several hours, took place in a renovated warehouse located in the outskirts of Shanghai, a major financial hub in China. Hundreds of media representatives, influencers, and industry observers gathered to hear from CATL’s Chief Technology Officer, as well as to see the company’s billionaire founder and Chairman, Zeng Yuqun, who took the stage towards the end of the event. He promised that the “Technology Day” would become an annual highlight and reminded attendees that CATL “has never defined itself as just a battery manufacturer, but rather as a pioneer in clean energy systems.”

Among the key products introduced was an upgraded version of the Celestial Battery. The company stated that this battery can now achieve a range of 520 kilometers (323 miles) on just a 5-minute charge. In comparison, BYD, primarily a car manufacturer, has developed a system capable of providing approximately 400 kilometers of range within a similar timeframe.

According to Bloomberg Industry Research, CATL’s next-generation Celestial Battery highlights its strong research and development capabilities. Following a recent high-profile product launch by BYD, other automakers are striving to maintain competitiveness, potentially leading to significant orders for CATL. Together, CATL and BYD command a 70% share of the Chinese electric vehicle battery market, and their technological advancements are expected to facilitate the development of more accessible electric vehicles with rapid charging capabilities.

CATL’s batteries are widely used across numerous electric vehicles from various manufacturers, with Tesla being one of its primary clients. Additionally, CATL has entered into a technology licensing agreement with Ford. The importance of CATL’s position in the global electric vehicle battery market cannot be overstated. According to data from SNE Research, CATL held approximately 38.2% of the market share in the first two months of this year, while its closest competitor, BYD, captured 16.9%.

During the event, which coincided with China’s annual auto show, sodium-ion batteries also emerged as a hot topic. CATL announced that its sodium-ion battery, named Naxtra, is ready for commercialization and has been tested under extreme conditions, including severe cold and fire scenarios. Company executives reported that the battery maintains its charge even when placed in a -40°C environment. The sodium-ion battery is expected to achieve a range of about 200 kilometers for hybrid vehicles and 500 kilometers for electric vehicles.

Sodium-ion batteries offer several advantages, including cost-effectiveness due to the abundant availability of sodium compared to lithium. Furthermore, their relatively stable chemical properties enhance safety and reduce the risk of fire. Executives believe that sodium-ion batteries could eventually capture half of the market share currently dominated by lithium, iron, and phosphate batteries from companies like CATL and BYD.

CATL also presented a series of dual-power batteries with a maximum range of 1500 kilometers on a single charge, setting a new high standard in this innovative and fiercely competitive industry. The company achieved this range by combining conventional ultra-fast charging battery cells with separate auxiliary cells to enhance performance.

Following the main event, CATL executives criticized competitors and discussed the price wars that are eroding revenues. Ouyang Chuying, Co-President of the R&D Department, stated that the “intense competition” in the battery price war is unhealthy, but necessary for “product development.” He expressed a desire for national standards to be set high enough to eliminate subpar products.

CATL’s innovations in automotive batteries have also enabled it to venture into more ambitious fields, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOL). Although eVTOL batteries were not a discussion topic at the “Technology Day,” CATL has indicated that its battery cells can power eVTOLs with a range of up to 250 kilometers, which is roughly equivalent to the distance between New York and Philadelphia or Brussels and Amsterdam, with a flight speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour.

Earlier this month, CATL reported a 33% increase in quarterly profits, with a net profit of 14 billion Chinese Yuan (approximately 1.9 billion USD), surpassing expectations of 13.8 billion Yuan. Revenue grew slightly above 6% year-on-year, reaching 84.7 billion Yuan, although it fell short of the expected 95.5 billion Yuan. Since January, CATL’s stock price has seen a decline of about 13%.