Changan and CATL plan 1,500 km solid-state cells and 75 GWh battery production lines

Chinese carmaker Changan has formally said it will strengthen its ties with battery leader CATL. The companies have agreed to raise joint battery output to 75 GWh and to work together on solid-state batteries (SSBs) and sodium-ion cells.

As with its earlier comments on its own SSBs, Changan shared the news on an interactive investor platform run by the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. The automaker also voiced support for emerging sectors, such as humanoid robots and China’s “low-altitude economy”.

More cells from CATL

Changan and CATL are not new collaborators in China’s car industry. They set up a joint venture (JV), CATL-Changan (时代长安, Times Changan), earlier in 2023. The JV provides cells to Changan’s in-house electric vehicle brands, among them Avatr, Deepal and Nevo.

Libattery.net, a Chinese battery industry news site, reports that CATL-Changan is set to reach 50 GWh of battery production capacity, a target Changan disclosed at an investor relations event in May 2025.

The new deal will give CATL-Changan an extra 25 GWh of capacity along with new production lines. The JV intends to build a 700,000-square-meter plant and put 5 billion yuan (~750 million USD) into the project.

Changan says the new plant will use the “latest generation of CATL battery technology” and will supply cells to the automaker’s electric vehicle brands. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027, with the 25 GWh target to be met within three years. The site will be located in a high-tech zone between Chongqing City and Sichuan Province.

The automaker expects the expansion to generate 10 billion yuan (~1.5 billion USD) in annual revenue, create 2,500 jobs and bring 300 million yuan (~45 million USD) in tax revenue to the local community.

Changan may also view the move as a way to lower costs. ZAKER News, a Chinese automotive outlet, reports that the Chongqing-based carmaker earns only 68 yuan (10 USD) per vehicle and faces strong pressure to improve profitability.

A JV with CATL would give Changan access to affordable in-house cells and help it avoid the high costs of buying battery packs, one of the most expensive components in an NEV.

More on Changan’s SSBs

Changan has entered China’s race to develop SSBs, unveiling its Golden Bell (Jinzhongzhao) cells in November 2023. The automaker targets an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and claims the cells will be 70% safer than rivals thanks to “AI remote diagnosis technology”.

Changan also says the Golden Bell cells will enable EVs to exceed 1,500 km of range and that cell degradation will not be noticeable for at least 600,000 km. Cell life is expected to surpass 5,000 cycles, and Golden Bell packs will support 6C charging, allowing a charge from 30% to 80% in 9 minutes.

The automaker has also restated its timeline for the Golden Bell cells, with vehicle road tests planned for 2026 and commercial production ramping up in 2027.