How China's CATL Electrifies the World?

The historic Paris Agreement sets common goals for climate change: Keep the increase in global average temperature at 2℃ and strive to limit the temperature rise to within 1.5℃.

To achieve these goals, greenhouse-gas emissions must be reduced by more than 40% by 2030. During the past decades, traditional vehicles produce tremendous amounts of CO2. According to UN’s report in 2024, road transport emits 24% greenhouse gas.

Using EV is one of the fastest ways to cut these emissions, provided their batteries are low-carbon and circular. This is why CATL’s advanced EV battery manufacturing—scaling clean materials, longer-life cells and closed-loop recycling—has become central to decarbonising mobility worldwide.

From Battery Dealers to CATL

Established in 1999, CATL is a new energy technology enterprise, focusing mainly on battery research and development. In the early stage of the entrepreneurship, CATL --which was called ATL at that time--was a battery dealer serving consumer electronic products such as cell phones. In 2011, the founding team secondly start their business, changing the brand to CATL and cooperating with automobile companies such as BMW.

With the proposal of the New Development Concepts, innovation and green development have become deeply rooted in people's hearts. As a big part of carbon emission, the automobile industry desperately has to transform from traditional gasoline vehicle to innovative EV.

It was from that moment CATL had gradually developed into a famous company producing power batteries for vehicle. In 2024, CATL’s power batteries account for 37% of the global market and for 46% in Chinese market.

Compared with gasoline vehicles, EVs make a greater contribution to emission reductions. But power batteries do not mean they are completely environmentally friendly. In fact, how to produce and recycle batteries plays a significant role in environmental protection.

Schematic diagram of CATL's battery recycling system

The diagram shows a closed-loop EV battery lifecycle. Firstly, Characteristics such as long-life, easy-to-disassemble designs and vehicle–battery separation facilitate battery reuse. In addition, specific data systems closely monitors batteries’ health. When a car no longer meets standards, it will be scrapped with its batteries being retired. Then deal with retired batteries. Batteries in good condition will be secondary used while those in poor condition will be regeneratively treated to metal raw materials, contributing to the manufacture of the next vehicle.

Boosting EV Adoption through Innovation

While EV boast lower lifecycle carbon emissions than conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, persistent consumer concerns over limited range and slow charging have long hindered their widespread adoption. Early-generation EVs offered under 300 km of range—further reduced in winter—whereas a typical ICE vehicle easily achieves 1,000 km. Today, most EVs require 6–7 hours for a slow charge or about an hour for a fast charge, while refueling an ICE car takes just 5 minutes. McKinsey’s "China Auto Consumer Insights" report, released in April 2025, highlights that some EV owners are already considering switching back to ICE vehicles due to these charging inconveniences.

CATL confronts these pain points head-on with groundbreaking technological breakthroughs to enhance battery specific energy and superfast charging capabilities, boosting consumer confidence in EVs. In the pure EV segment, CATL has pioneered two technology pathways: Qilin and Shenxing. The Qilin Battery achieves exceptional energy density—packing more power into the same space—to extend driving range and break through range limitations. The Shenxing Battery, meanwhile, delivers ultra-fast charging, significantly improving refueling efficiency to rival the convenience of gasoline refueling.

Zeekr 001 with Qilin battery

In February 2024, Zeekr launched its new Zeekr 001 model with two battery versions: one equipped with CATL’s Qilin Battery and another with the Shenxing Battery. The Qilin version offers a range of up to 750 km and charges from 10% to 80% in 15 minutes, while the Lightning version achieves 722 km and reaches the same charge level in just 11.5 minutes. These options provide consumers with versatile solutions tailored to different priorities.

Through revolutionary technological iterations, CATL is rapidly closing the gap with ICE vehicles in both range and refueling experience. In April, CATL unveiled its second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery—the world’s first LFP battery featuring both an 800 km range and a 12C peak charging rate—enabling "5-minute charging, 520-km cruising". In June CATL’s 21C Innovation Lab team published a breakthrough lithium-metal battery study in Nature Nanotechnology, introducing an innovative electrolyte design that promises both high energy density and long cycle life. If scaled commercially, this technology could unlock EVs exceeding 1,000 km per charge.

Second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery

Partnering Globally for a Greener Future

CATL’s vision for sustainability extends far beyond EVs and beyond China. The company actively promotes the adoption of clean energy across broader applications, leveraging its influence to collaborate with global supply chain partners in building a greener world.

Decarbonizing global shipping, one of the toughest challenges in climate action, finds a critical solution through port partnerships. In June, CATL signed an agreement with Zhejiang Seaport Group—operator of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port, the world’s busiest cargo hub—to jointly advance low-carbon port and industrial park development, electric vessel adoption, and electrification of port machinery. This collaboration pioneers a pathway for green, smart port logistics.

Mining, a sector notorious for high energy consumption and emissions, can achieve decarbonization in operations, logistics, and product delivery through advanced battery tech. In July, CATL and global mining leader BHP signed a memorandum to co-develop battery solutions for heavy-duty mining equipment and rail locomotives, supported by fast charging infrastructure. This partnership accelerates BHP’s goal of net-zero operational emissions by 2050.

CATL signed memorandum with BHP

CATL is also co-investing with Indonesian state mining firm PT ANTAM and Indonesia Battery Corporation (IBC) in a USD 6 billion nickel resource and battery supply chain project. With planned annual output supporting 200,000–300,000 EVs and future expansion into energy storage, this venture will turbocharge Indonesia’s transition to a net-zero green economy.

The project broke ground in Karawang, Indonesia

In 2024 alone, CATL implemented 310 energy conservation measures, reducing annual electricity consumption by 255 million kWh—equivalent to cutting 264,600 metric tons of CO₂ emissions. From roads to mines and ports, from China to the world, CATL’s battery technology stands as a green engine driving decarbonization across industries.

Over the past two years, China’s power battery industry has sustained rapid growth. The sector now demands next-generation battery technologies. A large number of competitors and new products have emerged in the industry. As the flagship company in the sector, CATL faces its own transition and upgrade. At present, it has adopted a more diversified investment strategy, solidifying and expanding its market position by deepening partnerships across the downstream automotive value chain.

By Zhao Yilin & Zheng Yang

Photo: CATL