Tesla battery supplier develops an all-in-one electric car platform

Chinese manufacturer CATL, which supplies batteries to carmakers such as Tesla, has completed testing of its in-house CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC) skateboard platform which it says can offer 1000km of range.

According to CarNewsChina, test results show a consumption of 10.5kWh/100km and a charge rate of up to 300km in five minutes. During winter testing in conditions of -7 degrees, the range was reportedly reduced by 30 per cent.

The testing was reportedly completed using a ‘B class’ sedan, a Chinese term meaning a mid-sized model.

CarNewsChina reports this vehicle was more than likely from Hozon Auto, with whom CATL signed a deal in January 2023 to be the first partner to use said platform.

The CIIC platform – which was co-developed by Hozon Auto and CATL – combines batteries, electric motors and other vital components into a single platform which will underpin electric cars.

CarNewsChina reports the CIIC platform can integrate high-voltage and low-voltage systems, steering and braking systems, chassis domain controllers, and uses cell-to-chassis (CTC) tech.

The purpose of this all-in-one platform is to lower production costs, vehicle weight and energy consumption while increasing cabin space.

It’s also expected to reduce development time and production costs.

The first production vehicle to use this platform will reportedly launch in the third quarter of 2024, potentially under Hozon Auto’s Neta brand.

CATL is known for also working with non-Chinese companies including Volvo, Tesla, and more recently Stellantis for its European production.

In November 2023, CATL announced it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Stellantis that will see it supply lithium-iron phosphate batteries for use in European-market vehicles.