CATL's Bedrock Chassis: Next-Level EV Safety and Performance

CATL has unveiled its groundbreaking Bedrock skateboard chassis built on the CATL Integrated Intelligent Chassis (CIIC), set to debut in an upcoming Avatr model. This platform promises exceptional safety and performance, with a claimed cruising range exceeding 1,000 KM.

The Bedrock chassis incorporates advanced safety measures to protect passengers and maintain battery integrity during collisions. A test video demonstrated a vehicle crashing into a wall at 120 km/h, far exceeding the C-NCAP standard of 56 km/h. Despite the severe impact, the passenger compartment remained intact, with no fire or explosion.

Its unified structure integrates the car body and battery, enhancing rigidity and reducing vulnerabilities. The chassis uses 2000 MPa press-hardened steel and 600 MPa aluminum alloy for structural integrity. A multi-path blocking system acts like a crumple zone, slowing external force intrusion during collisions.

Optimized battery cells with tough insulating films absorb collision energy, reducing thermal runaway risks. In rare thermal events, hot gases are vented through the vehicle's bottom. High-voltage circuits disconnect within 0.01 seconds during a crash, discharging residual energy in 0.2 seconds to prevent fires or explosions.

The Bedrock chassis integrates critical systems, including the powertrain, brake-by-wire, steering, suspension, and three-electric module. It supports advanced technologies like drive-by-wire systems and up to Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities. CATL’s fourth-generation Cell-to-Chassis (CTC) technology enhances rigidity while reducing battery weight and size.

The design streamlines development cycles for automakers, enabling new models to reach the market in 12 to 18 months. The chassis’s impressive 1,000-kilometer range sets a new benchmark for EV performance, reducing complexity and manufacturing costs.

This is not CATL’s first skateboard platform; an 800V version was planned for the Neta S wagon but faced production delays. As the Bedrock chassis debuts in an Avatr model, CATL establishes itself at the forefront of EV innovation, offering a safer, more efficient, and technologically advanced platform for future mobility.