China’s CATL unveils new battery for extended-range hybrids

BEIJING (Reuters) – Chinese battery giant CATL on Thursday launched its first battery product focused on extended-range hybrids at a time when this category of electrified cars is seeing the fastest growth in sales among all segments.

The battery, known as Freevoy, is the world’s first hybrid battery with a range of over 400 km (249 miles), according to CATL’s Gao Huan, chief technology officer of its electric vehicle business in China.

Gao, speaking at a press conference in Beijing, also announced that Freevoy is being used by various Chinese EV brands, including Li Auto (NASDAQ:LI), and will be installed in models made by industry giants like Geely and Chery.