Update: Adjusted the official English name of the battery from Kirin battery to Qilin battery.

The Qilin battery has a 13 percent higher energy density than a large cylindrical battery with the same electrochemical system, CATL said.

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL, SHE: 300750) plans to officially unveil the Qilin battery in the second quarter, Robin Zeng, founder and chairman of the power battery giant, said today.

Zeng revealed the plan during the company's online investor conference today on its fiscal 2021 results.

At the same electrochemical system, the Qilin battery has a 13 percent higher energy density than a large cylindrical battery, which is extremely competitive as a mainstream product, Zeng said.

"At the same time, some customers need to use large cylindrical batteries for special vehicle design reasons, and we have already started cooperation," he said, without giving further details.

It's worth noting that this is not the first time CATL has mentioned the Qilin battery.

In a presentation at the China EV 100 Forum in late March, CATL Chief Scientist Wu Kai said that CATL has introduced the third generation of CTP (cell to pack) technology through continuous technology iteration, which it internally calls the Qilin battery.

With the same chemistry system and the same pack size, the Qilin battery pack can deliver 13 percent more power compared to the 4680 system, he said.

Wu did not disclose a mass production schedule for the battery, though local media Cailian later reported that the battery would be officially unveiled in April.

In addition to the Qilin battery, Zeng also mentioned during the investor conference that CATL's research on calcium-titanium oxide photovoltaic cells is progressing well and that it is building a medium-scale production line.