CATL starts building a lithium-ion battery laboratory: focusing on the next generation of batteries

Shenzhen Stock Exchange-listed lithium-ion battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL) has begun construction of its lithium-ion battery laboratory, the 21C Laboratory, in Ningde, Fujian. The laboratory covers an area of ​​about 18 hectares (270 acres), with a total investment of 3.3 billion yuan and a construction period of five years (2019 to 2023). It is expected to be put into use by the end of 2021. It will attract thousands of experts and talents within five years and will focus on the development of next-generation batteries and new energy conversion systems.

The 21C Laboratory not only develops advanced metal lithium batteries, all-solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries, but is also committed to the commercial application of its technologies, such as the development of lithium-ion battery reliability models and non-destructive testing technologies.

CATL, the world's leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer, has received widespread attention for its agreement with Tesla. In February this year, CATL and Tesla signed a two-year contract (from July 2020 to June 2022) under which the company will supply batteries for the Model 3 produced at Tesla's Shanghai factory.

In addition, it is reported that CATL is working with Tesla to produce million-mile batteries. Earlier this month, the company's chairman and founder Zeng Yuqun said that the company is ready to produce its million-mile batteries.

Zeng Yuqun revealed that the new battery can operate continuously for 16 years and can enable electric vehicles to travel 1.24 million miles (about 2 million kilometers).

Previously, foreign media reported that this new battery will be launched in China first. Foreign media believe that this is because Tesla plans to launch a Model 3 in China that uses a new lower-cost and longer-lasting battery.

In addition, according to foreign media reports, Tesla is expected to announce the details of the million-mile battery at the "Battery Day" event. It is reported that Tesla's "Battery Day" event is tentatively scheduled for September 15.

CATL was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Ningde, Fujian. The company focuses on the research, development, production and sales of new energy vehicle power battery systems and energy storage systems, and is committed to providing solutions for global new energy applications.