The transition to EVs in Australia is as much about the availability of EV models, charging infrastructure, affordability – and a cleaner future – as it is the batteries that drive these cleaner vehicles.
Today I look at some of the recent trends and development that will play a big role in the local EV uptake and transition.
CATL launches new batteries that deliver 700km EV range
A fortnight ago, there were rumours that Tesla’s major battery supplier CATL was working on a new battery that could provide a bump in range. Now CATL has confirmed that by officially launching its M3P batteries with range of up to 700km. This announcement was made at the recent World New Energy Vehicle Congress.
These cells are looking very promising and could be in Model Ys and other EVs made for the local market over the next 12 months.
Tesla Shanghai in August doused rumours that the Model Y could get a new battery and range increase, but speculation that a new battery is on the cards for the Model Y persists.
It’s unclear which Model Ys might be fitted with this battery, but it would be interesting to see it make its way into the Long Range Model Y which is not yet available for sale in Australia, and is rated for 533km (WLTP) in Hong Kong.
This will help reduce range anxiety and it isn’t the first time Tesla has done this. We saw a similar trend when Tesla upgraded the Model 3 battery in November last year for local buyers at no extra cost.
BYD becomes 2nd largest supplier of EV batteries
The EV race is all revolving around batteries and raw materials to make them as fast as possible. New data from SNE research shows that BYD now is the second largest battery supplier, surpassing LG Energy solutions.
As CNEVPost has reported, BYD now is only second to CATL in market share which as mentioned is launching new battery products to meet EV manufacturer needs like that of Tesla.
Last week I test-drove the new BYD Atto 3 in Sydney and the BYD blade battery pack it contains performed really well during the charging test and offered a good real-world range.
BYD will also be using their blade battery technology in future global models like the Dolphin hatchback which we are expected to see locally in the coming months.
BYD exports hitting new highs as first Atto 3 deliveries start in Australia
As Australian BYD Atto 3 deliveries begin, BYD has also announced a month of highest EV exports. New data first reported on cnevpost shows that BYD exported 5,092 NEVs (New Energy Vehicles) in August, up from 4,026 in July when it first reported NEV export data.
That’s a 26.5% jump in EV exports which is good news for thousands of Australian customers who are expecting to see their first BYD EV delivered in the coming months.
With competition only heating up for EV batteries, BYD and CATL will be dominating the local EV battery market in the coming years.
We may not know it today but if you drive an EV or are about to get in one, there’s a very high chance that it’s powered by a CATL or BYD battery.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.