CATL unveils revolutionary EV chassis with reduced costs

CATL unveils revolutionary EV chassis with reduced costs that integrates the battery directly into the vehicles frame.

China’s CATL, the world’s leading manufacturer of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, introduced a groundbreaking chassis design on Tuesday that integrates the battery directly into the vehicle’s frame. Named “panshi” or “bedrock,” the chassis is designed to endure a frontal collision at 120 km/h without the risk of the battery catching fire or exploding, according to the company.

The “panshi” chassis enables EVs to achieve a range of approximately 1,000 km on a single charge. CATL highlighted that this platform could significantly shorten vehicle development timelines, reducing them from the conventional 36 months to just 12-18 months. Avatr, a joint venture between CATL, Changan Auto, and Huawei, will be the first automaker to adopt this new chassis, though no timeline for its launch has been provided.

This innovative architecture, often referred to as a skateboard chassis, incorporates essential components like electric motors, batteries, controls, and suspensions into a single platform. CATL explained that the design allows the upper and lower car bodies to be developed independently, making it compatible with a wide variety of vehicle designs.

CATL has partnered with automakers such as Vinfast, BAIC, and Neta to create vehicles based on this new chassis. The company has also showcased the “panshi” technology to Porsche and investors in the UAE, as part of its strategy to expand its market presence globally.