CATL has introduced its third-generation Qilin battery at its 2026 Tech Day, highlighting 10C equivalent charging, 3,000 kW peak discharge power, and a driving range above 1,000 km. The company also revealed a condensed-matter battery with 350 Wh/kg gravimetric energy density, aimed at longer-range passenger cars and already used in eVTOL applications.
CATL used its April 21, 2026 Tech Day event to unveil the third generation of its Qilin battery, the company’s latest high-energy-density pack for electric vehicles. The new version emphasizes both fast charging and reduced mass, with CATL claiming equivalent 10C charging, peak 15C capability, and a driving range of more than 1,000 km.
The launch also included a new condensed-matter battery, a chemistry CATL says sits between conventional liquid batteries and solid-state concepts. Together, the two announcements show how the battery giant is pushing higher energy density, quicker charging, and better packaging efficiency at the same time.
Third-generation Qilin focuses on speed and range
CATL says the third-generation Qilin is a ternary lithium battery with a volumetric energy density of 600 Wh/L and a gravimetric energy density of 280 Wh/kg. The company says it can match the charging speed of the third-generation Shenxing battery announced at the same event, while remaining lighter in comparable applications.
According to CATL, a 125 kWh pack weighs 625 kg, which is 255 kg lighter than an equivalent lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery pack. CATL also says the pack supports 10C equivalent charging and can deliver up to 3,000 kW of peak discharge power.
What the lighter pack changes for vehicles
Weight reduction is not just about efficiency. CATL says trimming 255 kg from a vehicle’s battery pack can improve several performance measures, including acceleration, braking, handling, and emergency maneuvering.
- 0-100 km/h acceleration improves by 0.6 seconds
- Overtaking parallel hazard window decreases by 12%
- Moose test speed rises by 8%
- Body roll angle drops by 6.5%
- Emergency avoidance performance improves by 15-25%
- 100-0 km/h braking distance is shortened by 1.44 meters
CATL also says the reduced mass can extend the service life of critical chassis parts such as the braking system, suspension system, and rubber bushings by 40%. Tire life is said to rise by 30%, from roughly 30,000-40,000 km to 40,000-50,000 km.
More cabin space from a smaller pack
In addition to the weight savings, CATL says the new battery is 112 liters smaller in volume, an amount it compares to three standard 20-inch suitcases. That packaging improvement gives passengers an extra 18 mm of headroom.
The company’s thermal-electric separation technology is also part of the design. CATL says separating thermal management from electrical circuits improves safety and efficiency.
Condensed-matter battery targets very long range
CATL also introduced its Qilin condensed-matter battery, which it describes as having a gravimetric energy density of 350 Wh/kg and a volumetric energy density of 760 Wh/L. The battery pack weighs less than 650 kg and is positioned for applications that need very long driving range.
CATL claims the pack can enable executive sedans to reach 1,500 km of range and full-size SUVs to travel 1,000 km on a single charge. The company says this condensed battery is already being used in eVTOL aircraft through AutoFlight, a firm in which CATL has invested.
Why CATL’s announcement matters
CATL remains one of the most influential suppliers in the global battery industry, and its latest announcements reinforce its strength in ternary lithium technology. The company says its ternary battery business leads the market by a wide margin, while its LFP products continue to compete with rival offerings from companies such as BYD.
The Tech Day presentation also hinted at a broader industry shift: battery developers are no longer focusing only on capacity, but also on mass, packaging, charging speed, and component durability. Those factors matter because they affect real-world range, vehicle dynamics, and long-term ownership costs.
CATL’s comments about heavier battery packs appear aimed at the market’s largest, highest-capacity designs, although the company did not name any competitor directly. For buyers, the practical takeaway is that battery development is moving toward packs that promise both long range and better vehicle efficiency without adding excessive weight.
Why This Matters
This launch matters because battery design is increasingly shaping the performance, cost, and usability of electric vehicles. A lighter pack can improve acceleration, braking, handling, cabin space, and tire and chassis life, which makes the battery relevant well beyond range figures.
It also shows how battery makers are competing on more than chemistry alone. CATL is pairing very high energy density with ultra-fast charging and packaging efficiency, which could influence future EV design across sedans, SUVs, and even electric aircraft.
Key Specs
- Launch date: April 21, 2026
- Battery: Third-generation CATL Qilin battery
- Chemistry: Ternary lithium
- Equivalent charging rate: 10C
- Peak charging/discharge capability: 15C / 3,000 kW peak discharge
- Range: More than 1,000 km
- Energy density: 600 Wh/L volumetric, 280 Wh/kg gravimetric
- Reference pack: 125 kWh, 625 kg
- Weight savings vs. LFP: 255 kg
- Size reduction: 112 L
- Extra headroom: 18 mm
- Performance gains: 0-100 km/h down 0.6 s; braking distance down 1.44 m; moose test speed up 8%
- Condensed-matter battery: 350 Wh/kg gravimetric, 760 Wh/L volumetric
- Condensed pack weight: Less than 650 kg
- Range claims for condensed pack: 1,500 km in executive sedans; 1,000 km in full-size SUVs
Source: CarNewsChina
