Li MEGA Orders Face CATL Battery Shortage, Drawing Complaints From Buyers

Several buyers of the new Li MEGA have taken to social media in recent days after Li Auto informed them that vehicles ordered with CATL batteries would not be delivered as scheduled, according to Chinese media reports.

Li Auto reportedly told affected customers that “CATL batteries are no longer available.” As an alternative, the vehicles will be fitted with the company’s in-house developed Lianshan battery system.

Li Auto has offered two options to customers whose orders can no longer be fulfilled with CATL batteries.

They can proceed with delivery using Li Auto’s own battery system and receive official benefits worth RMB 3,500 ($525). Alternatively, they can cancel their orders, receive a refund of their RMB 5,000 ($751) deposit and get an additional RMB 5,000 ($751) in compensation.

The proposals have drawn complaints from some buyers. Several said they had received neither official text messages nor in-app notifications, and that their sales representatives had not informed them proactively. Some only learned on October 25 that their vehicles would not arrive with the originally specified battery configuration.

For some customers, the CATL battery was a key reason for choosing the new Li MEGA. The last-minute supplier change has disrupted their purchase plans and undermined their buying experience.

Li Auto’s customer service team told the media that factory production schedules depend on actual CATL battery supplies and order sequence. The company has been seeking additional battery allocations, but limited overall supply means it cannot fulfill every affected order.

Li Auto sales staff said the number of affected orders was relatively small. One representative estimated that several hundred vehicles nationwide were involved, mainly among customers who locked in their orders between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on September 7.

The explanation has not fully reassured customers. Some have questioned on social media whether failing to secure batteries even for the handful of remaining orders points to problems in Li Auto’s relationship with CATL.

The battery switch comes as Li Auto accelerates in-house battery development and rebalances its supply chain.

In September, Li Auto announced plans to gradually introduce its in-house developed batteries across its entire lineup starting in the second half of 2026. The new-generation Li MEGA, the new Li i9 and the update Li i6, all scheduled for the fourth quarter, were among the models slated to receive the batteries.

Last week, Li Auto officially unveiled its Lianshan battery system, highlighting 5C ultra-fast charging and safety performance. The company also announced several lifetime battery safety guarantees.

Li Auto said it defines the battery products and leads their underlying development, while partners including Sunwoda manufacture the cells to its specifications. The strategy is intended to improve supply-chain stability.

Battery installation data also point to a shift in Li Auto’s supplier mix. According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), Li Auto was CATL’s fourth-largest customer in June, accounting for 6.8% of its battery installations. It was also Sunwoda’s fifth-largest customer, with a 6.4% share.

By August, Li Auto had dropped out of CATL’s top five customers and become Sunwoda’s largest customer, accounting for 39% of the company’s battery installations. The figures indicate a substantial shift in Li Auto’s power-battery supply structure.