CATL is studying lithium-air batteries as a long-range research prospect, according to remarks by chief scientist Wu Kai at the 2026 Equipment Powerhouse Forum. The company has not announced plans to put the technology into production, nor has it promised an electric car capable of traveling 2,000 kilometers on a charge. Sodium-ion and all-solid-state batteries remain closer to commercialization on CATL’s roadmap.
Lithium-air cells use oxygen from the surrounding air as a reactant, rather than keeping both active materials inside a conventional battery cell. The reaction’s theoretical specific energy is often given as about 3,505 Wh/kg. That figure describes the chemistry, not a complete vehicle battery: the cell, protective components and equipment to filter and manage incoming air all add mass and volume. Some higher figures use a calculation that excludes oxygen mass.
Research groups have reported laboratory advances, including a lithium-air pouch cell rated at 757.5 Wh/kg and tested for 241 cycles under specified conditions. Other work has explored a solid-state design that completed at least 1,000 charge-discharge cycles. These results use different methods and do not establish a production-ready automotive battery.
Major hurdles include protecting the cell from moisture and carbon dioxide, preventing deposits from blocking oxygen flow, and improving rechargeability, efficiency and durability. Air-handling hardware also adds complexity and draws power. The reported 2,000-kilometer range is therefore a theoretical possibility, not a demonstrated CATL vehicle capability.