CATL-Seres battery expansion targets 20 GWh capacity for Aito EVs

CATL and Seres signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Chongqing on October 10, 2026, to scale Aito electric vehicle battery production capacity to over 20 GWh annually.

CATL and Seres finalized a strategic cooperation agreement in Chongqing on October 10, 2026, with CATL beginning operations at Seres’ plant on June 30, 2025. This includes two CTP 2.0 battery production lines, expanding Aito vehicles’ annual battery capacity to exceed 20 GWh. The project’s second phase aims to add 10–12 GWh of capacity, though operational timelines remain undefined. Aito vehicles have already achieved cumulative deliveries of over 1.2 million units globally, while CATL holds 39.4% of the global EV battery market share in the first eight months of 2026 (SNE Research data). The partnership also covers joint development of supercharging networks and battery lifecycle services, with shared ambitions for European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian markets.

The scale of this production expansion directly addresses the cost barrier for mass-market electric vehicles. By increasing battery output capacity through dedicated manufacturing lines at Seres’ facility, CATL aims to lower per-unit battery costs—a critical factor in making EVs affordable for broader populations. This aligns with Aito’s existing global reach and CATL’s dominant market position, creating a pathway for higher-volume EV production at lower prices.

This expansion moves mobility toward abundance by reducing the cost barrier for electric vehicle batteries, particularly in regions where Aito is already deployed. Lower battery costs could enable more affordable EV ownership without compromising safety or performance, directly supporting access to transportation as a basic need. The project’s focus on lifecycle services and charging infrastructure further addresses the friction of EV adoption.

What to watch: The operational timeline for the second phase project and implementation details in target overseas markets. Market share data reflects only the first eight months of 2026, and the agreement does not specify when the second phase will begin or how it will be executed. Seres’ separate Huawei partnership renewal (September 30, 2026) is unrelated to this battery capacity expansion.

Source: CnEVPost