CATL Aviation Battery With 350 Wh/kg Energy Density Passes Dual-Cell Thermal Runaway Safety Test, Paving Way for eVTOL Use
Why It MattersA CAAC-witnessed dual-cell safety pass signals battery suppliers are moving toward certifiable propulsion systems that could accelerate civil airworthiness approval for passenger eVTOL aircraft.
CATL has announced that its aviation battery system, the world's first using prismatic cells with an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, has passed a thermal runaway propagation safety test, laying groundwork for passenger eVTOL aircraft to meet civil aviation safety standards. During the test, CATL simultaneously triggered two adjacent cells at different locations within the battery pack, including the middle and corners, with no thermal propagation occurring, a more demanding trial than the industry-standard single-cell trigger. The production, inspection, and testing of the cells and battery system were witnessed by designated representatives of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).
CATL said the system is ready for mass production and will first be used in passenger eVTOL aircraft from Autoflight, a company it backs. In August 2024, CATL signed an agreement to become a strategic investor in Shanghai-based Autoflight, exclusively investing hundreds of millions of dollars — CATL's first publicly disclosed investment in an eVTOL company. In November last year, the two companies jointly unveiled a floating vertiport integrating an eVTOL takeoff and landing platform with photovoltaic energy storage and charging systems.
Autoflight, founded in 2017, is one of China's earliest eVTOL companies, with cumulative commercial orders reaching 2,000 aircraft as of November last year. CATL, headquartered in Ningde, Fujian province, is the world's largest battery maker, with global EV battery installations totalling 242.7 GWh in the first half of the year, up 25.3% year-on-year, representing a 39.9% market share, according to SNE Research.
