The Avatr 07 and Neta L became the first EVs to adopt the CATL’s Freevoy battery, dedicated to plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). They utilized the sodium-ion-containing Freevoy pack even before the official launch.
Avatr 07 and Neta L got the Freevoy battery before the launch
On October 24, CATL held the launch ceremony of the Freevoy battery made for plug-in hybrid vehicles. This pack supports 4C fast DC charging and provides over 400 km of electric range. After the launch ceremony, Avatr and Neta announced their latest EREV products had already adopted the Freevoy battery.
The Neta L EREV with a Freevoy battery entered the Chinese market on August 2 for 154,800 – 189,300 yuan (21,750 – 25,800 USD). According to the announcement, only the top-trim Neta L adopts the Freevoy pack. It is a ternary NMC pack with a capacity of 43.9 kWh, good for 310 km of electric range (CLTC). The mixed range of the Neta L reaches 1,160 km. The battery can be charged 30-80% in 19 minutes.
The Avatr 07 launched in China on September 26 with a price range between 219,900 – 289,900 yuan (30,850 – 40,700 USD). The EREV variant of this crossover has an LFP battery for 39.05 kWh battery for 230 km of electric range (CLTC). The mixed range reaches 1,152 km. This pack charges from 30 to 80% in 15 minutes.
From these announcements, we can see that CATL’s Freevoy battery can use different chemistry variants. It also adopts a nanoscale protective layer and uses high-activity excited state particle technology. The Freevoy battery utilizes NP2.0 tech with active smoke isolation. The main feature of this pack is integration of sodium-ion technology that enables to discharge a battery at -40°C and charge at -30°C.
Why Avatr and Neta adopted CATL’s Freevoy pack before the launch
Avatr and Neta are two Chinese NEV makers that have close ties with the world’s largest EV battery maker CATL. Avatr is a joint project between Changan, Huawei, and CATL. Hozon’s Neta signed a ten-year comprehensive partnership agreement with CATL in May this year. So, this is the reason why they got the Freevoy battery so soon.
Avatr and Neta have one more similarity, which is an upsetting one. According to CarNewsChina research, these brands achieved less than 30% of their annual sales target in the first nine months of 2024. Neta made 28.2% of the sales goal, and Avatr reached 27.4%. For clarity, the average sales goal achievement rate among Chinese NEV makers is 47%.
These brands got the advantage over the rest of NEV makers with the early adoption of the Freevoy battery. It is a good chance to improve their sales performance. However, CATL mentioned that the Freevoy battery is expected to be featured in 30 models by 2025. So, Avatr and Neta have limited time to ramp up their sales volume.
