Li Auto said its proprietary battery technology will be used across its full vehicle lineup beginning September 7, marking a broader shift toward in-house battery development and supply control. The company said the technology is already installed in the Li L8, Li L6, and Li i8, and outlined a phased rollout for several upcoming models.
For the Li Mega Home, Li Auto said demand has been stronger than expected, leaving current reserves of CATL 5C ternary lithium batteries nearly depleted. Orders confirmed from 3:00 p.m. on September 7 will receive Li Auto’s proprietary 5C ternary lithium batteries, with deliveries expected to start in November. The Li i9, which is scheduled to debut in mid-September, will initially launch with CATL batteries and later shift to Li Auto’s proprietary 5C batteries after production capacity increases. The 2026 Li i6, set to launch in the fourth quarter, will come with the company’s proprietary 5C battery and its self-developed Mach chip. Pre-orders for the model are expected to open in late September, with deliveries planned for early November.
The battery strategy follows a 2.65 billion yuan investment Li Auto announced earlier this month in Sunwoda EVB, a subsidiary of Sunwoda Electronic. After the transaction is completed, Li Auto will hold an 8.79% stake in Sunwoda EVB and a total indirect ownership of 11.17%, making it the company’s second-largest shareholder. Li Auto said the partnership, which began in 2017, is structured around an in-house model in which the automaker defines product specifications and leads work on cell materials, structural design, and the battery management system, while Sunwoda serves as the contract manufacturer.
Company executive Liu Zhimin said battery technology should not be treated as a commodity, adding that controlling design and manufacturing standards supports supply certainty and faster innovation. While the first batch of Li i9 vehicles will still use CATL batteries, the change signals Li Auto’s move away from its longtime supplier.
Source: CarNewsChina
