China’s CATL aims to make EVs drive further with new tech

Zeng Yuqun, chairman of Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. (CATL), speaks during an interview in Ningde, Fujian province, China, on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. CATL's battery products are in the vehicles of almost every major global auto brand, and starting this month they'll also power electric cars manufactured by Tesla at its factory on the outskirts of Shanghai. - Filepic

WUHAN: China’s CATL, a Tesla supplier, said on Wednesday it is working on a new technology that will allow battery cells to be integrated with an electric car’s chassis, shedding traditional casings that make battery systems bulky.

Integrating cells directly into an electric vehicle’s (EV) frame will allow more cells to be loaded into a car and extend its range - a key concern for customers.