CATL Revives High-Nickel Batteries as Leapmotor, Xiaomi Plan 80 kWh EREVs

Leapmotor’s new D19, Xiaomi’s first EREV, and a new plug-in hybrid from GWM are all expected to carry 80 kWh high-capacity battery packs.

In recent days, Chinese media citing multiple industry insiders reported that Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL) will launch a new generation of 8-series high-nickel batteries next year, which will be fitted to range-extended electric models from several leading emerging EV brands.

The 8-series high-nickel battery belongs to the ternary lithium-ion family, with a cathode composition ratio of nickel, cobalt, and manganese at 8:1:1—hence the designation “8-series.”

A few years ago, these batteries were widely adopted across dozens of models from more than ten new energy vehicle (NEV) brands including GAC Aion, NIO brand, and XPeng, due to their high energy density. However, the technology at the time was not mature, and incidents of thermal runaway occurred frequently.

Despite these challenges, CATL did not abandon its R&D efforts and has consistently emphasized the strategic importance of high-nickel batteries in the premium market.

Now, with the steady growth of battery capacities in extended-range and plug-in hybrid models, conditions for the return of high-nickel batteries are falling into place. In 2024, some new models were already equipped with battery packs exceeding 60 kWh, and next year this figure is expected to rise to the 80 kWh level.

Leapmotor’s new D-series model D19, Xiaomi’s first EREV, and a new plug-in hybrid from GWM are all expected to adopt high-capacity 80 kWh battery packs, delivering an all-electric driving range of around 500 km.

In scenarios where chassis space is constrained, the advantage of the 8-series high-nickel battery becomes clear. Compared with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and medium-nickel ternary batteries, high-nickel packs deliver more energy per unit of weight, helping reduce overall vehicle mass while improving range and dynamic performance.

Although many automakers acknowledge that medium-nickel batteries can already balance range and safety, some are still turning to high-nickel solutions. The motivation lies in achieving longer range and stronger performance—key differentiators in an increasingly competitive market.

As a leader in ternary battery technology, CATL unveiled its “Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery” in October 2023, which it claims can deliver over 400 km of pure-electric range for hybrid vehicles and supports 4C ultra-fast charging.

Industry sources indicate that CATL’s new-generation 8-series high-nickel battery will incorporate upgraded thermal management and durability optimization measures designed to address earlier concerns about safety and lifespan.

Nevertheless, high manufacturing and R&D costs may remain significant barriers to large-scale deployment in the near term.