CALB and XPeng AeroHT Expand Strategic Partnership
Plus, EVE Energy sees a Sino-German tie-up.
On April 11, China Aviation Lithium Battery (CALB) and XPeng AeroHT signed a new strategic cooperation agreement, deepening their partnership in the field of flying vehicles.
The move builds on their earlier collaboration, where CALB supplied the high energy-density power battery for XPeng AeroHT’s Land Aircraft Carrier X3.
With this agreement, CALB said it will continue as the exclusive battery provider for XPeng AeroHT’s upcoming models. The company is working on enhancing battery performance in areas like power output, charging speed, weight reduction, and safety.
CALB’s 9-series high-nickel/silicon system battery, featuring an energy density of 300 Wh/kg and supporting 6C fast charging, powered XPeng AeroHT’s X3 test prototype during its maiden flight on October 24, 2022.
According to the battery maker, it currently holds the highest energy density among all flight-specialized batteries in active deployment.
Set to launch this year, the battery is part of CALB’s “Ding Liu Super Flying Battery” product line, which also includes a second-generation version.
The new model features a solid-liquid hybrid electrolyte, allowing it to withstand temperatures up to 200°C. With an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, it supports 10C+ continuous discharge, ensuring full-range adaptability for flight applications.
The battery’s structural design incorporates CALB’s proprietary "Top Stream" technology, which reduces structural impedance by 50% and minimizes temperature rise during high-power discharge, the company said.
Versatile in application, the battery supports both pure electric and hybrid models. It is compatible with multi-rotor, compound wing, and vector wing configurations. In hybrid mode, it can power 8-ton eVTOLs with a range of up to 3,000 km.
The battery is slated for commercial launch in 2026.
Author’s note — According to CALB, the first-generation model, with an energy density of 300 Wh/kg, is capable of supporting 5-ton aircraft, though I couldn't find a specific range.
In separate news, CALB began construction on its first overseas battery plant in Sines, Portugal, last month, with production expected to start in 2027. The $2.1 billion USD plant will produce power and energy storage batteries, focusing on European customers.
The facility will have an annual capacity of 15 GWh, which is sufficient to power approximately 300,000 electric vehicles, based on each vehicle having a 50 kWh battery pack, CALB said, adding that it has already received orders from major customers like Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford, and Audi.
Video: EVE Energy
While CALB stated it will remain the exclusive battery supplier, EVE Energy had previously announced its own collaboration with XPeng AeroHT.
On March 18, the company revealed that it had received a supplier development notice from the eVTOL aircraft maker to provide next-generation prototype low-voltage lithium batteries.
According to Chinese media, the low-voltage lithium batteries are primarily used to power flight control systems (FCC) and electronic speed controllers (ESC).
Since launching its "five-in-one" low-altitude economy battery solution in June 2024—focused on high safety, energy density, lifespan, fast charging, and power—EVE Energy has steadily expanded its footprint in the aviation sector.
The company has earned AS9100D aerospace quality management system certification and currently supplies high-performance batteries for the AS700D, China’s first electric crewed airship.
Its battery system supports 8C pulse discharge and 3C continuous output, meeting the demanding power requirements of flight operations.
The design includes redundant safety mechanisms, such as a dual-layer module structure and a parallel pack configuration, ensuring continued functionality even if a single pack fails.
According to Zhou Lei, Chief Designer at the AVIC Special Aircraft Research Institute, the airship’s battery system significantly improves static balance stability and enhances takeoff and landing control, making the platform particularly well-suited for use in noise-sensitive environments.
In separate news, EVE Energy and Germany’s KION Battery Systems (KBS) signed a strategic cooperation agreement on April 10 to promote the large-scale application of 21700 cylindrical lithium batteries in European logistics vehicles.
The partnership aims to accelerate the electrification of industrial transport and establish a sustainable energy value chain across Europe.
KBS, a joint venture between KION Group and BMZ Holding, specializes in lithium battery system integration for industrial vehicles. Under the partnership, EVE Energy will supply its high-energy-density, long-cycle-life cylindrical batteries, customized for the European market.
The collaboration strengthens EVE Energy’s localized supply capabilities and supports its market expansion into Europe’s high-end industrial vehicle sector. Both companies will align on technical standards and sustainability targets, while advancing green logistics in areas such as port operations and warehousing.
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