Leapmotor will abandon a component used in all cars

Starting in 2027, Leapmotor’s new models will stop using a component that has been standard in all cars for over 70 years.

The auxiliary battery is one of those components we assume are standard in every car. Used in all types of vehicles—from electric cars to those with internal combustion engines—it has been around for decades and, in modern cars, powers a wide range of electrical systems.

Yet, despite its ubiquity, this simple component is not essential. And starting in 2027, Leapmotor will prove it.

At the Leapmotor Tech Day 2026, the Chinese brand introduced its new High and Low Voltage Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) 3.0 battery, which integrates the low-voltage power supply previously provided by an auxiliary battery directly into the traction battery system.

The technology is set to be integrated into the brand’s next-generation models, with a launch expected starting in 2027. In practice, it will allow Leapmotor to do without the conventional 12 V battery.

What’s the difference?

The main difference lies in how energy is distributed. Instead of having a high-voltage battery to power the propulsion system and a separate auxiliary battery (usually 12 V) for other electrical components, CTC 3.0 combines these two functions.

According to Leapmotor, the new generation boasts seven times greater low-voltage operating capacity compared to the previous model and is capable of providing the power needed to replace traditional 12 V batteries. This means systems such as lighting, windshield wipers, climate control, infotainment, and safety equipment no longer rely on a separate lead-acid auxiliary battery.

"When this technology is integrated into the next generation of models, they will become the first road vehicles in over 70 years not to use a lead-acid auxiliary battery," the company stated in a release.

In addition to simplifying the electrical system, the manufacturer believes this solution could also impact maintenance. A conventional 12 V battery is a component that wears out over time and eventually needs to be replaced throughout the vehicle’s lifespan. In fact, it is one of the components that causes the most failures in electrical systems.

By integrating this system into the main battery, Leapmotor claims that the low-voltage battery no longer requires such periodic replacement.

Everything in the chassis

The new battery is part of Leapmotor’s CTC (Cell-to-Chassis) technology. Instead of using battery modules installed in a separate structure, the cells and modules are integrated directly into the vehicle’s chassis.

The brand states, “Since high-voltage and low-voltage batteries use the same cells and modules, they share thermal management and energy distribution, enabling a complete reconstruction of the vehicle’s electrical power system.”

This technology is part of the new LEAP 5.0 architecture, which will serve as the foundation for future Leapmotor models. As of now, there is no indication of which model will be the first to adopt CTC 3.0.