Chinese battery giant CATL is positioning itself to supply the rapidly growing U.S. full‑size pickup segment with a new generation of high‑energy lithium‑ion cells. According to an InsideEVs report, the company is evaluating a licensing‑based production model that would allow U.S. partners to manufacture its upcoming 70 Ah, 500 Wh/kg “PowerCell‑X” format in domestic fabs. The cells are designed for the 468 mm cylindrical format, which offers a higher volumetric energy density than the older 21700 size and is already being adopted by several North‑American EV makers for long‑range applications.

CATL’s strategy hinges on bypassing import tariffs and supply‑chain bottlenecks that have plagued Chinese‑origin battery imports since 2022. By granting “technology‑only” licenses, CATL expects to enable up to 30 GWh of annual capacity in the United States by 2028, with an initial pilot line slated for construction in Michigan in late 2026. Early talks involve major pickup manufacturers such as Ford, General Motors and Rivian, all of which have announced plans for electric trucks with ranges exceeding 400 mi.

The PowerCell‑X promises a 15 % reduction in pack weight compared with current LFP solutions, while retaining the safety profile that has made LFP popular in the mass market. If the projected 500 Wh/kg figure is achieved at the cell level, a 150 kWh pack for a heavy‑duty pickup could weigh under 1,200 lb, a significant improvement for payload capacity.

Industry analysts see this move as a direct challenge to domestic players like Tesla’s Megapack‑derived cells and the emerging solid‑state projects in the U.S. The licensing route also gives CATL a foothold in the “Made‑in‑America” narrative that is increasingly important for federal procurement and consumer perception. However, critics warn that technology transfer risks could expose CATL’s proprietary sulfide‑based electrolyte advances to competitors.

Overall, CATL’s U.S. licensing plan could reshape the electric pickup market by delivering higher‑energy, lighter packs while sidestepping geopolitical trade hurdles. The success of the pilot will be a bellwether for how Chinese battery IP can be leveraged abroad without direct manufacturing investment. InsideEVs

BYD is set to expand its ultra‑low‑cost vehicle lineup with a larger sibling to the Seagull, the Chinese automaker’s $10,000 entry‑level electric hatchback. Electrek’s September 21 preview reveals that the forthcoming model—tentatively dubbed the “Seagull‑Plus”—will carry a substantially larger lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery, likely around 55 kWh, compared with the current 30 kWh pack. This upgrade would push the vehicle’s WLTP range from roughly 300 km to over 500 km, narrowing the gap with mainstream compact EVs while keeping the price under $12,000 in China.

The larger pack is expected to use BYD’s proprietary “Blade” battery architecture, which stacks thin, long cells in a way that maximizes space efficiency and thermal stability. BYD claims the Blade design can achieve a 20 % cost reduction per kWh versus conventional LFP packs, thanks to fewer safety components and a simplified module layout. If the 55 kWh pack follows the same cost trajectory, the battery cost could fall to about $70/kWh, a milestone that would make sub‑$10,000 EVs financially viable in emerging markets.

The Seagull‑Plus will also feature a 150 kW (200 hp) motor, up from the current 100 kW unit, and support 250 kW DC fast charging, enabling an 80 % charge in roughly 20 minutes. BYD plans to launch the model in China first, with potential roll‑outs to Southeast Asian markets later in 2027, where low‑cost EV adoption is accelerating.

Analysts view the move as BYD’s attempt to capture a broader segment of the price‑sensitive market while leveraging its massive LFP production capacity—estimated at over 200 GWh annually across China. The larger battery also serves as a testbed for BYD’s next‑generation cell chemistry, which aims to push LFP energy density beyond 180 Wh/kg at the pack level.

If BYD can deliver the promised range and price, the Seagull‑Plus could pressure rivals such as Chery and SAIC to accelerate their own low‑cost battery solutions, potentially reshaping the global affordability curve for electric mobility. Electrek