Li Auto replaces CATL cells with its own battery cells

Li Auto is reducing its dependence on CATL and will increasingly rely on in-house developed battery cells in the future. The Li 6, intended for Europe, will also receive the new technology.

Li Auto is gradually switching its model range from CATL to in-house developed battery cells.

Image: CATL

The automaker is reducing its dependence on CATL and gradually transitioning its model range to in-house developed battery cells. The cells are manufactured by Sunwoda. The i6, which is set to be offered in Europe as the Li 6, will also receive the new battery technology.

As reported by _CarNewsChina_, the cells developed by Li Auto are already being used in the L8, L6, and i8 models. The rollout to additional series is expected to expand in the fourth quarter.

For the Mega Home electric van, Li Auto states that stocks of the previously used 5C ternary cells from CATL are almost depleted. New orders will therefore be fulfilled with its own 5C cells, with the first vehicles expected to follow in November.

The new i9 will initially still start with CATL cells and is set to switch to the in-house development as soon as sufficient production capacities are available. The 2026 model year of the i6 will also receive the new 5C battery as well as the similarly in-house developed Mach-Chip. Deliveries are expected to begin in early November.

Li Auto invests in Sunwoda EVB

At the beginning of September, the manufacturer announced an investment of 2.65 billion yuan (approx. $390 million USD) in Sunwoda EVB. Including existing indirect holdings, its stake will increase to 11.17 per cent. Li Auto will thus become the second-largest shareholder.

This collaboration has been in place since 2017. Li Auto now defines the product specifications and develops cell materials, cell structure, and battery management systems itself, while Sunwoda manufactures the cells. This indicates that Li Auto is withdrawing from CATL as a battery supplier. As recently as April, Li Auto was one of the four largest customers of the Chinese cell manufacturer.

For the European market, this step is particularly relevant for the i6. Li Auto plans to present the model at the Paris Motor Show in October as the Li 6 for Europe and begin sales in the fourth quarter. Unlike in its home market of China – where Li Auto has grown with range-extender SUVs and continues to actively promote the technology – only battery-electric models are planned for Europe.