On a cloudy evening in late April 2026, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL), the world’s largest producer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, showcased its latest innovation at a tech event held at Beijing’s National Convention Centre. Nearly 1,000 attendees witnessed the unveiling of CATL’s Shenxing series, a third-generation battery that the company claims can charge from 10% to 98% in under six and a half minutes.
This new battery technology surpasses BYD’s second-generation Blade battery, which takes nine minutes to charge from 10% to 97%. Gao Huan, CATL’s chief technology officer for the auto business, emphasized the company’s focus on safety and efficiency, explaining that the Shenxing series isolates individual cells to prevent heat spread—a common issue with fast charging that can degrade lithium-ion batteries. The battery uses independent sealed exhaust channels to allow heat and electricity to exit through separate paths.
“To accomplish product reliability, we have developed industry-leading testing methods and created a world-leading testing and verification centre,” Gao said. “In manufacturing, we make sure every single battery cell is made under extreme conditions in line with a stringent quality control system, with 7,000 quality checkpoints deployed along [each] product line.”
CATL’s advancements highlight China’s leading role in EV battery innovation and cost reduction amid fierce domestic competition, potentially reshaping the global automotive landscape.
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