BUSINESS

CATL Answers BYD With Ultra-Fast Charging Batteries of Its Own

Published: Apr. 22, 2026 12:55 p.m. GMT+8

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A CATL charging station in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. Photo: VCG

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. (CATL) (300750.SZ) launched new ultra-fast charging batteries and a plan for a network of supercharging stations on Tuesday, aiming to fend off intensifying competition from its rival BYD Co. Ltd. (002594.SZ).

CATL’s new products include an upgraded lithium iron phosphate (LFP) Shenxing battery, a Qilin ternary battery with higher energy density and a sodium battery designed for low-temperature environments. The company also announced plans to upgrade its battery-swapping stations by pairing the facilities with superchargers.

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CATL launched Shenxing LFP (10-80% charge in 4 min), Qilin ternary (255kg lighter, 1,000km range), and sodium batteries; plans 4,000 supercharging/battery-swapping stations by 2026, 20,000 by 2028.
Counters BYD's 9-min charging and 20,000 stations this year.
CATL leads with 42.1% global share (early 2026), BYD 13.4%; LFP at 81.2% in China 2025.

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Who’s Who

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) launched ultra-fast charging batteries: Shenxing LFP (10-80% in 4 min), Qilin ternary (1,000km range, 255kg lighter), and sodium for low temps. Plans 4,000 supercharging/battery-swapping stations by 2026, 20,000 by 2028. Holds 42.1% global EV battery market share in early 2026, fending off BYD and others.

BYD Co. Ltd.: BYD Co. Ltd. (002594.SZ), CATL's rival, launched fast-charging tech in March for its second-generation blade battery (10% to 97% in 9 minutes). It exclusively uses LFP batteries and plans 20,000 fast-charging stations in China this year. Held 13.4% global EV battery market share in early 2026.

Chery Automobile Co. Ltd.: Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. has recently introduced plans to develop and manufacture its own batteries, adding pressure on CATL alongside competitors like Li Auto Inc. This forces CATL to maintain heavy R&D investments.

Li Auto Inc.: Li Auto Inc. has recently introduced plans to develop and manufacture its own batteries, increasing pressure on CATL alongside Chery Automobile. (22 words)

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