SAIC Motor, CATL’s battery system JV sees birth of first CTP tech-enabled battery pack

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- United Auto Battery System Corp., a 51/49 joint venture between SAIC Motor and CATL, recently put its first CTP (Cell to Pack) battery pack assembly line into operation with the first mass-produced E2 battery pack rolling off the line on the same day, according to a post on the joint venture's WeChat account.

Photo credit: United Auto Battery System

SAIC Motor follows a “three-step” planning for developing crucial EV-related components, namely, batteries, electric motors, and electric control units. The first two “steps” are named E0 and E1, while the E2 represents the next-generation one. The E2 battery pack will be first used in the production models under IM Motors, a premium car brand co-built by SAIC Motor, Zhangjiang Hi-Tech and Alibaba.

United Auto Battery System said the recent birth of the E2 pack means SAIC Motor has gained the ability to assemble battery packs using the cell-to-pack technology, referring to the direct integration of cells into a battery pack, without the modules used in most current pack designs. Besides, the latest move also indicates SAIC Motor's next-generation battery solution has been put into practice with the output of new-generation platform-based power batteries.

United Auto Battery System was incorporated in June 2017 in Liyang, Jiangsu Province, with SAIC Motor and CATL holding 51% and 49% shares respectively.

In June 2021, United Auto Battery System celebrated the production of its 100,000th battery pack.