CATL Introduces Lithium-Air Battery with Gasoline-Like Energy Density

The global competition to develop advanced batteries for electric vehicles has taken a significant turn. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has announced a shift in its long-term research focus towards lithium-air battery technology, which boasts a theoretical energy density comparable to that of gasoline.

The announcement was made by Wu Kai, CATL's Chief Scientist, during the 2026 Powering the Nation Forum. Wu, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, publicly shared the company's strategic direction for the first time, revealing where CATL believes future market competition will evolve.

Traditional lithium-ion batteries found in electric vehicles typically incorporate heavy metal compounds containing nickel, cobalt, and manganese to facilitate lithium ion transport. In contrast, lithium-air designs eliminate these heavy materials, utilizing a lithium metal anode and drawing oxygen from the surrounding air to function as the cathode reactant. This innovative design enables the batteries to be referred to as "breathable batteries," significantly reducing both weight and internal complexity.

The potential of this technology is compelling. Lithium-air systems have a theoretical energy density limit of 12,000 Wh/kg, closely rivaling gasoline’s approximate 13,000 Wh/kg. Current laboratory prototypes have already achieved over 1,200 Wh/kg—four times greater than the typical 250 to 270 Wh/kg found in today’s electric cars, and surpassing the expected 500 Wh/kg from next-generation solid-state batteries.

If manufacturers can successfully scale production of these batteries, electric vehicles could soon offer driving ranges exceeding 1,600 km on a single charge, eliminating one of the primary concerns that deter many potential buyers.

The concept of lithium-air batteries was first introduced in the 1970s, yet engineering challenges have hindered their practical application in automobiles for decades. These components are particularly sensitive to moisture and carbon dioxide, and early prototypes faced issues such as catalyst instability and limited lifespans. However, recent advances have begun to address these concerns.

A collaborative research project involving the University of Illinois Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, and California State University, Northridge, successfully demonstrated a functional lithium-air battery in 2024. This prototype completed over 700 cycles in an environment designed to mimic natural air. By 2025, Argonne National Laboratory partnered with the Illinois Institute of Technology to create a new prototype, achieving an energy density of 1,200 Wh/kg and maintaining performance for 1,000 charging cycles at standard room temperature. Nevertheless, experts anticipate that this specific design will not be ready for widespread automotive use until post-2030.

Historically, CATL has demonstrated an ability to bring alternative chemical technologies to market, as evidenced by their sodium-ion battery unveiled in 2020, which is now in mass production and integrated into various new vehicle models, including the GAC Aion UT and the Changan Oshan 520. Other manufacturers, such as Geely, Chery, and FAW, are also incorporating these sodium-ion packs to reduce costs in smaller electric vehicles.

This recent announcement of lithium-air technology indicates CATL's three-phase strategic approach. In the short term, the company aims to address current market demands through existing, mature battery technologies. In the medium term, CATL plans to enhance the driving experience for high-end electric vehicles by rolling out solid-state batteries. The long-term vision is centered on maximizing energy storage capabilities through the commercialization of lithium-air technology.

CATL currently enjoys a dominant position in the global market, holding the largest shares in both power batteries and stationary energy storage systems. As of April 2026, the company secured a 47% share in the automotive sector, while its sales of 121 GWh of storage batteries in 2025 granted it a 30.4% share of the global market for the fifth consecutive year.

Via