Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), the global leader in electric vehicle battery production, has unveiled a series of strategic advancements this week despite increasing geopolitical tensions. The Chinese battery giant announced new European investment initiatives, breakthrough performance data for its ultra-long-life lithium batteries, and a pioneering sodium-ion battery partnership with Changan Auto.
These developments occur against a backdrop of heightened US regulatory pressure on Chinese battery manufacturers. The US House Select Committee on Strategic Competition recently challenged Ford Motor Company regarding its licensing agreement with CATL, a Department of Defense-designated Chinese military company. This scrutiny focuses on Ford’s plans to repurpose US facilities for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production using CATL’s technology.
The political concerns stem from a February 2023 agreement where CATL agreed to supply LFP technology for Ford’s $3.5 billion Michigan battery plant. This arrangement has faced sustained examination since the US Defense Department added CATL to its Chinese military companies list in January 2024, citing alleged ties to China’s armed forces.
Despite these transatlantic headwinds, CATL continues to advance its European localization strategy. The company operates a major German facility, is constructing a large-scale Hungarian factory, and is developing a joint-venture battery project in Spain with Stellantis. This expansion continues despite the EU imposing definitive anti-subsidy duties of 7.8-35.3% on Chinese EVs, though batteries and key components were exempted from additional tariffs.
Technologically, CATL revealed impressive specifications for its 5C lithium-ion battery, capable of full charging in approximately 12 minutes while enduring about 3,000 full charge-discharge cycles—equivalent to 1.8 million miles of service life. This represents roughly six times the industry average, achieved through denser cathode coatings, self-healing electrolyte additives, and advanced thermal management systems.
The company’s sodium-ion breakthrough with Changan Auto marks another significant advancement. These batteries deliver over 400 kilometers of range with energy density of 175 watt-hours per kilogram while maintaining more than 90% capacity at extreme temperatures of -40°C. Though bulkier than lithium alternatives, their superior cold-weather performance makes them particularly suitable for northern climates.
According to industry analyst Zhang Dachuan, “Both the US and Europe have tightened scrutiny of new-energy supply chains over the past two years, and policy resistance facing CATL’s overseas manufacturing plans is clearly rising. Boosting localization rates and strengthening supply-chain resilience have become urgent priorities.”
CATL maintained its dominant 38% global market share in 2025, followed by BYD (16-17%), with LG Energy Solution (9-10%) as the leading non-Chinese supplier. The company’s continued innovation and strategic expansion demonstrate its determination to maintain technological leadership despite growing geopolitical challenges in the global battery industry.