China’s CATL Unveils “Bedrock” EV Chassis, Highlighting Safety and Efficiency

China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. (CATL), the world’s leading electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturer, introduced its latest innovation, the “Bedrock” EV chassis, emphasizing its exceptional safety features. CATL claims the platform can endure a frontal collision at 120 km/h (75 mph) without risk of fire or explosion, significantly exceeding the safety standards of the China New Car Assessment Program, which typically tests at 56 km/h.

The “Bedrock” chassis integrates a battery capable of delivering a range of approximately 1,000 km (621 miles) on a single charge and boasts production efficiencies that could reduce EV development timelines from 36 months to just 12–18 months. CATL aims to position the platform as a cost-effective solution for premium automakers seeking to accelerate product development.

Ni Jun, CATL’s Chief Manufacturing Officer, highlighted the platform’s breakthrough safety performance, stating, “No new energy vehicle has dared to undergo a 120 km/h frontal pole impact test until now.”

The first EV model based on the Bedrock chassis will be developed by Chinese EV brand Avatr, co-owned by CATL, Changan Auto, and Huawei. While no launch date was disclosed, Avatr’s President, Chen Zhao, confirmed the collaboration during the announcement.

The Bedrock chassis aligns with the growing trend of “skateboard chassis” designs, which consolidate critical components like electric motors, batteries, and suspensions into a single platform. Other Chinese players, such as Xpeng and Launch Design, are also developing similar platforms.

This initiative marks a critical step in CATL Chairman Robin Zeng’s strategy to drive growth beyond battery production. By reducing the cost of developing new EVs from billions of dollars to as little as $10 million, the Bedrock platform could enable niche EV makers to achieve profitability by selling just 10,000 vehicles annually. Zeng has shared the technology with major stakeholders, including Porsche for potential luxury EVs and UAE investors exploring local EV manufacturing.

Since 2020, CATL has partnered with automakers such as VinFast, BAIC, and Neta to integrate its battery-to-chassis technology into EV models. Additionally, the company is expanding into micro power grids and battery-swapping services to diversify its business portfolio.

CATL, which commands a global EV battery market share of approximately 37%, sees the Bedrock chassis as a pivotal innovation to solidify its leadership in the rapidly evolving EV industry.