In the field of battery swap, CATL and BAIC will cooperate in areas including development of battery swap models with battery blocks, distribution of battery blocks, and battery data management.

Chinese power battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL, SHE: 300750) and BAIC Group signed a cooperation agreement on June 18 to work together in areas including skateboard chassis and battery swap.

The two companies will collaborate on a skateboard chassis for the next-generation all-electric platform, CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis), to study the balance of architecture, systems, process, cost, and performance, and to jointly build products, according to a CATL statement.

CATL did not provide more on the collaboration in this area.

CIIC enables a highly integrated automotive chassis, integrating all the capability modules of an electric vehicle, including the powertrain, braking system, steering system, and thermal management system.

CIIC can significantly reduce the R&D cycle and R&D costs, while optimizing the vehicle layout to make the interior more spacious and flexible, according to CATL's previous release.

CIIC adopts CTC (Cell to Chassis) technology, which integrates the battery cells in the chassis, helping to improve range.

In the area of battery swap, CATL and its subsidiary, and BAIC will collaborate around battery swap-enabled models, battery block development and distribution, and battery data management, according to CATL's statement today.

The two companies will also collaborate in areas including development, sales, and battery rental of battery swap-enabled heavy truck models, according to CATL.

CATL launched its battery swap brand EVOGO on January 18, 2022, which offers Choco-SEB (swapping electric block), where vehicles can use one or more battery blocks to match different mileage requirements.

On January 26 this year, ride-hailing giant Didi and CATL announced the formation of a joint venture engaged in battery swap business for the ride-hailing market, providing battery swap services for new energy vehicles (NEVs).

Also on June 18, CATL began construction of a production base in Beijing to supply customers including BAIC, Xiaomi (HKG: 1810, OTCMKTS: XIACY) and Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI).

The power battery project is part of Beijing Shidai Power Battery Company Limited, a joint venture between CATL, BAIC, Xiaomi EV and Beijing Energy International.

CATL has a 51 percent stake in the joint venture, with BAIC holding 39 percent and Xiaomi EV and Beijing Energy International each holding 5 percent, according to data provider Tianyancha.

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