China’s CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, on Tuesday unveiled a new chassis for electric vehicles that integrates the battery directly into the vehicle’s frame.
The company claims that the chassis can withstand a 120 km/h frontal impact without the battery igniting or exploding.
The structure, called “Banshee” or “rocks,” supports electric vehicles with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. CATL said the platform could reduce vehicle development cycles to 12-18 months from 36 months or more.
CATL announced that Avatr, owned by CATL, Changan Auto and Huawei, will be the first automaker to use the new architecture. The company did not specify when the models that use the platform will be launched.
The chassis structure, also known as a skateboard chassis, integrates electric motors, batteries, controls and suspension devices. CATL said the platform enables separate development of upper and lower vehicle bodies, allowing compatibility with a wide range of vehicle types.
CATL has formed partnerships with automakers such as Vinfast, BAIC and Neta to develop models based on this architecture. The company also revealed that it has showcased its Banshee technology to Porsche and investors in the UAE as part of efforts to expand its market reach.
The company said the Banshee chassis could reduce the cost of developing a new electric vehicle from billions of dollars to $10 million. She added that this may make electric vehicle production viable for small businesses by achieving profitability with lower production volumes.