DST, CATL's subsidiary to co-develop skateboard chassis for commercial vehicles

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 22, Digital Sustainable Transport (DST), a Chinese leading provider of digital and intelligent operation services for logistics new energy vehicles, signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Synland, a subsidiary of CATL, to collaborate in the field of commercial vehicle skateboard chassis.

Leveraging their respective strengths in marketing, users, technologies, and applications, DST and Synland aim to jointly develop and produce 10,000 sets of high-energy-efficient skateboard chassis.

Photo credit: CATL

This partnership marks a significant milestone in scaling up high-energy-efficient skateboard chassis. Both companies will work together to drive innovation in new energy technology and upgrade products, offering energy-efficient skateboard chassis solutions to users. Together, they aspire to build a high-quality, green, and low-carbon logistics ecosystem.

The skateboard chassis represents a highly integrated and customizable vehicle platform, which incorporates core components such as the battery, electric drive, electronic controls, braking, and steers into the chassis itself. This integration creates a flat, streamlined base resembling a skateboard, hence the name "skateboard chassis."

Central to the skateboard chassis is the use of CTC (cell-to-chassis) technology, which integrates the battery directly into the chassis. This approach is seen as a significant step forward in the evolution of battery technology for electric vehicles.

On June 18, 2024, CATL and BAIC Group signed a cooperation agreement to collaborate on the next-generation CIIC (CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis) project dedicated to battery electric vehicles. The partnership will focus on the architecture, systems, manufacturing processes, cost optimization, and performance of skateboard chassis designs. By aligning with the demands for scenario-defined vehicles, smart technologies, and personalization, the two companies aim to create innovative EV solutions tailored to future market needs.

On January 10, 2023, Contemporary Amperex Intelligence Technology (Shanghai) Limited (CAIT-SH), a wholly-owned subsidiary of CATL, and NETA Auto inked an agreement of cooperation on the CIIC project. According to the agreement, CAIT-SH would develop in-depth cooperation with NETA Auto on CIIC to boost NETA Auto's high quality production with higher efficiency and lower cost, and jointly explore more business model innovations.