Li Auto is replacing CATL with its own battery cells

Li Auto is reducing its reliance on CATL and will increasingly rely on self-developed battery cells in the future. The Li 6 model intended for Europe is also set to adopt this new technology.

Li Auto is gradually switching its model lineup from CATL batteries to self-developed battery cells.

Image: CATL

The automaker is reducing its dependence on CATL and transitioning its model lineup step by step to self-developed battery cells. These cells are manufactured by Sunwoda. The i6, which will be offered in Europe as the Li 6, will also incorporate this new battery technology.

According to CarNewsChina, the cells developed by Li Auto are already being used in the L8, L6, and i8 models. The rollout is set to expand to additional model lines in the fourth quarter.

In the electric van Mega Home, Li Auto states that the stock of 5C ternary cells supplied by CATL is nearly depleted. As a result, new orders are being delivered with the company’s own 5C cells, with the first vehicles expected to arrive in November.

The new i9 will initially use CATL cells and is planned to switch to the proprietary cells once sufficient production capacity is available. The 2026 model year of the i6 will also receive the new 5C battery along with the similarly self-developed Mach chip. Deliveries are set to begin in early November.

Li Auto participates in Sunwoda EVB

At the beginning of September, the manufacturer announced an investment of 2.65 billion yuan (around $390 million) in Sunwoda EVB. Including existing indirect stakes, its share rises to 11.17 percent. Li Auto thus becomes the second-largest shareholder.

The partnership dates back to 2017. Li Auto now defines the product specifications and develops the cell materials, cell structure, and battery management system itself, while Sunwoda manufactures the cells. This indicates that Li Auto is moving away from CATL as its battery supplier. As recently as April, Li Auto was among the four largest customers of this Chinese cell manufacturer.

For the European market, this move is particularly significant in light of the i6. Li Auto plans to introduce the model at the Paris Motor Show in October as the Li 6 for Europe and start sales in the fourth quarter. Unlike its home market in China, where Li Auto grew up with range-extender SUVs and continues to promote this technology aggressively, only battery-electric models are planned for Europe.