Recently, Contemporary Amperex Technology launched the supercharging version and long-endurance version of its "Tianxing" L Series battery, which can achieve 4C supercharging capability and 500km of actual endurance.
According to Gao Huan, CTO of the domestic commercial vehicle business unit of Contemporary Amperex Technology, the "Tianxing L-Supercharging version" has both 4C supercharging capability and 8-year / 0.8 million kilometer warranty. It boasts of a large capacity of 140 degrees and actual endurance mileage of up to 350 km, far exceeding the industry average.
Gao Huan said that it only takes 12 minutes to replenish 60% of the SOC, which meets the requirements of urban and suburban transportation and city delivery. The "Tianxing L-Long-endurance version" has both a super-long endurance of 500km and an 8-year / 0.8 million km warranty, with a large capacity of 200 degrees. From Beijing to Hohhot, and from Kunming to Guiyang for intercity long-distance freight transportation, no additional recharging is needed.
An insider close to Contemporary Amperex Technology disclosed that the energy density of the L-type long-endurance version has reached 200Wh/kg, the highest in the light commercial vehicle industry. The comprehensive weight reduction of the whole vehicle can be up to 300kg, and batteries with corresponding densities and volumes will be launched for different vehicle models.
The release of the latest battery by Contemporary Amperex Technology may be related to the current development of the new energy logistics vehicle market.
This year, sales of new energy logistics vehicles have reached a record high. According to on-board data, from January to May 2024, China's cumulative sales of new energy logistics vehicles (excluding new energy logistics heavy trucks and pickups) reached 0.154 million, a year-on-year increase of 116%, and the installed capacity of new energy logistics vehicle power batteries reached 7.9 GWh, a year-on-year increase of 115%.
In May, China's sales of new energy logistics vehicles reached 40525 units, a year-on-year increase of 114%; the installed capacity of power batteries for new energy logistics vehicles reached 2.1GWh, a year-on-year increase of 110%.
The market is expanding, while the market share of Contemporary Amperex Technology is decreasing. According to on-board data for the installed power battery market for new energy logistics vehicles from January to May, Ningshen ranked first in the industry's market share, accounting for 67.4%, 63.0%, 62.2%, 59.8% and 59.7% respectively. This is not common in the past few years.
"More battery manufacturers are beginning to pay attention to and enter this niche field." According to a manager responsible for power batteries at a battery manufacturer, in the first five months, the domestic new energy logistics vehicle market grew twice as fast, and the number of power battery companies entering the field has increased by more than 30% compared to the same period last year.
At the same time, some new energy vehicle companies have also released such models. Their 'supportive' battery suppliers' shares have also increased accordingly. Previously, FENC, which ranked lower in the market in this field, rose to the top three for the first time in May with its new logistics vehicle product with Wuling Motors - Wuling Yangguang. In April, Huating New Energy, which had a small share in this field, boosted its market share to 8% with a new car model from SAIC-GM-Wuling.
In addition, according to persons in charge of Contemporary Amperex Technology, the Tianxing series battery will not only be used in light trucks and logistics vehicles but will also enter heavier commercial vehicle submarkets such as heavy trucks and bulldozers.
In fact, China started to promote new energy heavy trucks in 2016 and has developed it on a large scale for several years. In 2023, the sales volume of new energy heavy trucks exceeded 0.031 million, accounting for 3.4%. By the end of 2023, the total number of new energy heavy trucks promoted nationwide amounted to 0.069 million, with a market penetration rate of 0.76%, far below the industry average.
According to a relevant personnel of a new energy vehicle company, various lithium battery manufacturers have already reached a certain scale in the development and penetration of the consumer vehicle market, and short-term changes are unlikely. The penetration rate of commercial vehicles is relatively low, especially for heavy trucks and large machinery. Heavy commercial vehicles consume more batteries per vehicle, and the supply chain between suppliers and host manufacturers is more balanced, which is more conducive to the development of lithium battery companies such as Contemporary Amperex Technology.
According to 2023 truck insurance data, pure electric and replaceable battery heavy trucks are the main types of new energy heavy trucks, among which replaceable battery heavy trucks have gradually become the largest type. In 2023, the sales of replaceable battery heavy trucks reached 0.015 million, up 18.7% year-on-year.
Heavy trucks are mainly used for long-distance and bulk transportation. Compared with diesel trucks, new energy heavy trucks still face problems such as relatively high purchase costs, heavy battery weight that squeezes cargo capacity, insufficient range, and unstable replenishment.