CATL launches ultra-safe skateboard chassis

Chinese battery giant CATL has developed an intelligent skateboard chassis that it says is ‘ultra-safe’.

The Bedrock Chassis can withstand a 120 kmh (75mph) frontal impact without catching fire or exploding by using a cell-to-chassis design. This directly integrates the battery cells into the chassis, allowing for a shared structural design and allows the chassis to absorb 85% of the collision energy compared to around 60% absorbed by traditional chassis.

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Currently, the speed for frontal impact safety test in the commonly used C-NCAP (China New Car Assessment Program) is 56kmh. A frontal impact at 120kmh generates a collision energy 4.6 times higher.

The high voltage disconnection is achieved in 10ms of impact and completes the discharge of residual high-voltage energy in the vehicle within 0.2 seconds, which CATL says sets a new industry record.

The skateboard chassis will be used for multiple vehicle models, reducing the time required for mass production of a vehicle from the traditional 36 months to 12 to 18 months. Electronics integrated into the chassis also assist with the shift to software defined vehicles and SAE Level 4 autonomous driving.

AVATR is the first car maker to use the Bedrock Chassis.