CATL, which is engaged in lithium batteries, is going to build electric aircraft.

At the BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo in Macau, CATL Chairman Zeng Yuqun said that in the field of electric aircraft, CATL is conducting cooperative development. "We need to start with small aircraft, ranging from 1-ton aircraft to 8.8-ton aircraft. Currently we have Test flying a 4-ton aircraft.”

Zeng Yuqun further pointed out, “It requires an aircraft of more than 8 tons to reach commercial use, so we still need to continue to work hard and it is expected to be launched in 2027 and 2028.”

The low-altitude economy is a trillion-level market

Since the second half of 2023, the low-level economy has entered a period of policy-intensive catalysis. The 2023 Central Economic Work Conference has listed the low-altitude economy as one of the strategic emerging industries.

The 2024 "Government Work Report" also mentioned that it will actively create new growth engines such as biomanufacturing, commercial aerospace, and low-altitude economy. The industry believes that the low-altitude economy has been written into the "Government Work Report" for the first time, marking the rise of low-altitude economic development to the national level.

Intensive policy support accelerates the transformation of low-altitude economy-related technologies. Previously, the Civil Aviation Administration of China issued a production license for the EH216-S unmanned manned aircraft system to EHang Intelligent, which is considered to mark that my country's eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft) industry chain has officially entered the mass production stage.

The logistics industry has also ushered in a new low-altitude economic track. The "drone delivery" scenario has become a reality in many cities.

Recently, the "Implementation Plan for Innovative Application of General Aviation Equipment (2024-2030)" jointly issued by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China proposed that by 2030, general aviation equipment will be fully Integrate into all areas of people's production and life, become a powerful driving force for low-level economic growth, and form a trillion-yuan market scale.

CATL’s airplane dream

CATL has made great progress in the field of aircraft batteries: At the Shanghai Auto Show in April 2023, CATL released its most cutting-edge battery technology-condensed matter batteries.

The first application field of this battery technology has jumped out of the automotive circle and will be used in the aviation field. CATL also said that it is already cooperating in the development of civil electric manned aircraft projects, implementing aviation-grade standards and testing, and meeting aviation-grade safety and quality requirements. .

Of course, power batteries that can meet the needs of the aviation field can be used in new energy vehicles.

It is understood that the energy density of CATL condensed matter batteries has been increased to 500Wh/kg. This not only means that it has doubled the current level of 250Wh/kg in the field of electric vehicle power batteries, but also means that it meets the energy density requirements of regional passenger aircraft. , for aviation purposes with a range of 600-1200km, electrification is possible.

On July 19, 2023, COMAC Era (Shanghai) Aviation Co., Ltd. (referred to as "COMAC Era"), jointly held by CATL, COMAC, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, was officially established. The company's business scope includes civil aircraft parts design and production, civil aircraft (engines, propellers) production, battery sales, etc.

The establishment of COMAC meant that CATL entered the field of aircraft manufacturing.

Today, it can be seen from Zeng Yuqun’s speech that CATL has tested a 4-ton electric aircraft.

What is the concept of 4 tons? It is understood that Xpeng Huitian’s fifth-generation product, the Voyager X2 flying car, weighs 560 kilograms when empty including batteries, can carry 2 passengers, and has a payload of 200 kilograms. That is, the product is less than 1 ton after loading.

The AC310 civil helicopter independently developed by AVIC has an empty weight of 505 kg, a payload of 425 kg, and a maximum take-off weight of 930 kg. This product is also under 1 ton.

The AW139 helicopter has a length of 16.67 meters, a height of 4.98 meters, and a main rotor diameter of 13.8 meters. It has an empty weight of 4.9 tons and a maximum take-off weight of 7 tons.

The transport helicopter Mi-12 developed by the Soviet Union has a maximum take-off weight of 5.6 tons and a load capacity of 2.5 tons on the belly of the fuselage.

The initial plan for commercial electric aircraft formulated by CATL is to support more than 8 tons, and the launch timetable is 2027-2028!

Zeng Yuqun pointed out, “We have invested US$10 billion (currently approximately 72.4 billion yuan) in 10 years, and last year we invested US$2.5 billion (currently approximately 18.1 billion yuan) in research and development expenses.”

Many battery companies have entered the market

Based on the trillion-level market prospects of the low-altitude economy in the future, in addition to CATL, a number of power battery companies are already laying out corresponding battery products.

CALB entered the market very early and is deeply tied to Xpeng Motors. The new 9-series high-nickel/silicon system battery developed for low-altitude travel has achieved a leap in lightweight and safety performance while ensuring high power and fast charging capabilities. type promotion.

In May 2023, among the new products released by Zhengli New Energy, Zhengli Aviation Batteries are included. The energy density of the battery reaches 320Wh/kg, which can meet the high-rate discharge performance of 12C at 20% SOC; in terms of fast charging, it can be charged to 80% in 15 minutes; in terms of safety, it has achieved ppb-level aviation safety standards.

In November 2023, Desai Battery obtained the AS9100D aerospace quality management system certification, covering the "manufacturing of rechargeable batteries".

At the end of 2023, Gotion established a cooperation with EHang Intelligent to jointly develop power battery solutions for eVTOL products.

Juwan Technology Research has also reached a strategic cooperation with EHang Intelligent to jointly develop the world's first ultra-fast charging/extreme charging battery solution for eVTOL aircraft, and jointly build infrastructure such as supercharging piles and supercharging stations. It is understood that the ultra-fast charging battery for low-altitude aircraft developed by Juwan Technology Research uses ternary high-performance materials. The system energy density is 25% higher than that of ordinary aircraft batteries. The cycle life is more than 2,000 times, and the charging rate is 30%-80%. It only takes 5 to 10 minutes and can reach aviation-grade standards.

In April 2024, EVE stated at the first quarter performance briefing that the company had an early layout in the eVTOL battery field and had cooperated with a foreign company to conduct research work for three years. It has delivered sample A products and is assisting customers to obtain relevant products. Certification of aviation systems. In addition, the company has also sent samples to other international customers.

On May 9, Funeng Technology stated at the performance briefing that the company has obtained the designated position of Shanghai Shide Technology Co., Ltd. in the field of manned flight, and has in-depth cooperation with overseas leading companies in the eVTOL market and delivered products.

On May 16, Sunwoda said on the investor interaction platform, "The company's lithium batteries can be used in flying cars, and the company has the ability to develop and produce flying car batteries."