Mr. Zeng Yuqun, Chairman and CEO of CATL, and Tian Yu, Chairman and CEO of Autoflight, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony of the strategic investment and cooperation agreement between the two parties.

 

According to public information, through this strategic cooperation, Autoflight will join hands with CATL for the long term to jointly commit to the research and development of eVTOL aviation batteries. The two parties will combine their respective resources and technological advantages to focus on improving the energy density and performance of eVTOL batteries, supporting longer flight distances and higher payload capacities for eVTOL, while also significantly enhancing safety and stability.

CATL's exclusive strategic investment in Autoflight this time reflects its emphasis on the core competitiveness and long-term development potential in the field of eVTOL electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

CATL possesses world-leading battery technology and innovation capabilities, holding a leading position among global new energy battery suppliers. Its profound R&D strength, solid industrial foundation, and powerful industrial chain cluster advantages will further assist in achieving greater breakthroughs in the eVTOL field.

Prior to this, CATL has already had an in-depth business layout in the field of electric aviation. 

As early as April 19, 2023, at the Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition, CATL officially released its cutting-edge battery technology—Condensed-State Battery, which uses high-energy biomimetic solid-state electrolyte and constructs a micrometer-level adaptive mesh structure, regulating inter-chain interaction forces, enhancing the stability of the microstructure, and improving battery performance and lithium ion moving efficiency. The energy density of this battery cell can reach up to 500Wh/kg, while also having high specific energy and high safety, and can be mass-produced quickly. According to CATL's disclosure at that time, the first application of this type of semi-solid-state battery will be in the aviation field.

 

At the fourth BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo, which opened on May 22 this year, Zeng Yuqun, Chairman of CATL, revealed that CATL is actively engaged in cooperative development in the field of electric aircraft, starting with small aircraft, gradually increasing from 1-ton aircraft to 8.8-ton aircraft, and has successfully tested a 4-ton civil electric aircraft.

On June 25 this year, he also disclosed the cruising range of the company's electric aircraft for the first time, revealing that CATL is "actively investing" and accelerating the development of an 8-ton electric aircraft that meets commercial application standards. The 8-ton aircraft is expected to be released between 2027 and 2028, which will support a range of about 2000 to 3000 kilometers.

 

Autoflight, established in 2017, is one of the earliest Chinese technology companies to enter the eVTOL electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft field, committed to providing safe and reliable aerial logistics and travel solutions. Autoflight's independently developed eVTOL aircraft has completed tens of thousands of transfer flights in logistics and other fields. According to Autoflight, its 2-ton eVTOL set a world record for a single charge flight range of 250.3 kilometers, the cargo version model was awarded the first type certificate (TC) for eVTOL above one ton, and the civil aviation authority has accepted the type certificate (TC) application for the manned version model. Through in-depth cooperation with CATL, Autoflight can not only accelerate the development and application of eVTOL battery technology but also lead the overall technical capabilities of eVTOL aircraft to new heights.