The latest CATL battery tech has been revealed: the Shenxing Pro.
Chinese battery leader CATL has unveiled its most advanced safety technology platform yet, No Propagation 3.0 (NP3.0), alongside the debut of the Shenxing Pro lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery at an event in Munich, Germany. While the launch was aimed at Europe’s accelerating push toward electrification, the implications could also reach Malaysia — especially since Perodua has confirmed CATL as its battery supplier for its first EV.
What Is NP3.0?
CATL’s NP3.0 represents a major breakthrough in battery safety and reliability. The platform integrates eight core innovations, including:
- Flame-retardant electrolyte and separator
- Nano-coating on cathode materials
- Aerogel thermal insulation pads
- Fire-retardant coating
- Circuit stabilization control
- High-voltage active cooling
The system prevents thermal runaway from spreading between cells, ensuring vehicles can maintain stable power for over an hour even in extreme conditions. This allows occupants to exit safely while also reducing the risk of secondary accidents.
Shenxing Pro: Two Variants for Different Needs
Built on NP3.0 and CATL’s Wave cell design with Cell-to-Body integration, the Shenxing Pro battery delivers efficiency, range, and durability improvements:
- Super Long Life & Long Range:
- WLTP range of 758 km
- Lifespan of 12 years / 1 million km
- Only 9% degradation after 200,000 km
- Super-Fast Charging:
- WLTP range of 683 km
- 478 km of range in 10 minutes charging
- Works in cold climates, recharging 20%–80% in 20 minutes even at –20°C
Together, these advances directly address consumer concerns over range, charging speed, cost, and long-term value — the biggest hurdles to EV adoption globally.
What This Means for Perodua’s First EV
CATL already supplies more than 90% of Europe’s major automakers, but its partnerships extend to Southeast Asia as well. In Malaysia, Perodua recently confirmed that CATL will supply batteries for its first-ever EV, set to debut in the next few years.
This raises the possibility that Perodua’s EV could benefit from NP3.0 and Shenxing Pro technology once it enters production. If adopted, Malaysian buyers could see:
- Enhanced safety features that reassure first-time EV owners.
- Fast-charging capabilities that make EVs practical for daily use.
- Longer battery lifespans, reducing concerns about depreciation and resale value.
Such features could be game-changing for Malaysia’s mass-market EV segment, making Perodua’s entry one of the most significant milestones in the local automotive industry. They’ll probably need it as BYD’s Atto 2 is priced at RM100,000 and the Proton e.MAS 5 looks to be priced at least a little lower than that. A breakthrough affordable, durable battery from CATL that can fit into a possible leasing scheme under Perodua could help the company sell cheaper EVs with batteries available to lease.
