Chinese automaker Changan and battery manufacturer CATL are expanding their joint venture production capacity from 50 GWh to 75 GWh. The project involves a new 700,000-square-meter facility located between Chongqing and Sichuan Province. The investment for this expansion is estimated at ¥5 billion, with operations scheduled to begin in 2027 and full capacity expected within three years.
The partnership, active since 2023, supplies battery cells to Changan brands including Avatr, Deepal, and Nevo. Beyond capacity expansion, the companies are focusing on solid-state and sodium-ion battery technologies. Changan is developing its own Golden Bell solid-state cells, targeting energy densities of 400 Wh/kg, 1,500 kilometers of range, and 6C charging capability, with commercial production planned for 2027.
Regarding sodium-ion technology, CATL tested its Naxtra cells in Changan projects earlier in 2026. The Nevo A06 sedan, which features a 45-kWh battery with Naxtra cells, offers a range exceeding 400 kilometers under the CLTC standard. These cells provide an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, approaching the performance levels of current LFP battery technology.
The industry is also moving toward standardization for solid-state batteries. The new standard GB/T 48093.1-2026, which defines terminology for solid-state, semi-solid, and hybrid cells, was published in August 2026 and will take effect in early 2028. Greater Bay Technology has already begun testing its cells according to these new regulatory requirements.
