Some Huawei Zhijie Models Switch to CATL Cells After CALB Capacity Shortfall

Key Points

Supply-driven switch: Due to cell capacity constraints at 中创新航 (CALB), some 华为智界 batches are being fitted with 宁德时代 (CATL) 82 kWh cells, per sources close to 鸿蒙智行.
Same platform spec: The CATL 82 kWh (“82度”) cells use a mixed chemistry (ternary + LMFP) that matches the original CALB specification and reportedly meets Huawei’s 巨鲸 (Whale) battery platform standard.
Buyer protections intact: Retail prices and warranty remain unchanged, and the swap preserves eligibility for the national purchase‑tax relief of ¥30,000 RMB this year and ¥15,000 RMB next year.
Cost vs. delivery tradeoff: Sources say CATL cell costs are higher than CALB’s, but Huawei will not raise customer prices—the change is intended to speed deliveries.
Practical advice: Buyers should confirm battery chemistry and Whale platform/module specs with their dealer before delivery if they care about long‑term degradation or charging/thermal differences.

Huawei Zhijie CATL cells switch — a clear, concise update on why some Huawei Zhijie models are being fitted with CATL 82 kWh cells.

Key point

People close to Hongmeng Zhixing (Hóngméng Zhìxíng 鸿蒙智行) say that, due to cell production capacity constraints at Zhongchuang Xinhang (Zhōngchuàng Xīnháng 中创新航, commonly known as CALB), some Huawei Zhijie (Huáwéi Zhìjiè 华为智界) vehicle batches will be fitted with 82 kWh cells from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (Ningde Shidai 宁德时代, CATL).

These CATL cells use a mixed chemistry (ternary lithium‑ion + lithium iron‑manganese phosphate), the same overall specification as the CALB cells originally planned for the models.

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Why the switch

Insiders say the change is intended to speed up deliveries and ensure buyers can still benefit from the central government’s vehicle purchase tax reduction.

The tax relief amounts are ¥30,000 RMB ($4,167 USD) this year and ¥15,000 RMB ($2,083 USD) next year.

The vehicles’ sale prices will remain unchanged despite the swap.

Technical and warranty notes

Both CALB (Zhōngchuàng Xīnháng 中创新航, CALB) and CATL (Ningde Shidai 宁德时代, CATL) cells reportedly meet Huawei’s “Whale” battery platform standard (Jùjīng 巨鲸).
The warranty policy will remain the same for affected vehicles.
The CATL cells used are 82 kWh (“82度”) and employ a hybrid chemistry combining ternary NMC‑type lithium‑ion and lithium iron‑manganese phosphate (LMFP) cells.
That hybrid chemistry is the same specification that the models were originally designed for with CALB cells.
According to sources, CATL cell costs are higher than CALB’s; however, Huawei will not raise customer prices for the affected vehicles.

Quick technical context:

Ternary (NMC/NCA) cells typically emphasize energy density and range.
LMFP / LFP-style cells typically emphasize thermal stability and lower cost per cycle in certain designs.
Combining chemistries in a platform-standard module aims to capture benefits from both approaches while keeping integration and battery‑management-system (BMS) requirements consistent.

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What this means for buyers

Buyers of the affected Huawei Zhijie vehicles should expect no change in official warranty coverage or retail price.

The manufacturer’s stated objective is to accelerate deliveries and preserve eligibility for the national purchase‑tax incentives (see amounts above).

For owners who care about subtle differences between cell chemistries — such as long‑term degradation profiles, charging behavior, or thermal characteristics — these differences can matter in real‑world ownership.

Huawei and the suppliers say the cells used meet platform standards.

Owners seeking detailed technical comparisons should request the supplier and battery‑module specifications from their dealer.

Background

– Zhongchuang Xinhang (Zhōngchuàng Xīnháng 中创新航, CALB) and Ningde Shidai (Ningde Shídài 宁德时代, CATL) are both major battery cell suppliers in China.

– CALB is often selected for cost‑competitive cells.

– CATL is one of the world’s largest EV battery makers and offers a wide range of chemistries and packaging solutions.

– Huawei’s vehicle collaboration and platform efforts (including products developed under the Hongmeng/HarmonyOS ecosystem) have relied on external cell suppliers while standardizing battery‑system requirements across partners.

Neutral takeaway

The switch appears operationally driven — an interim supply solution to meet delivery schedules and preserve buyers’ tax incentives.

Warranty and vehicle pricing commitments remain in place according to reporting.

Practical checklist for prospective buyers and fleet managers

Confirm the battery chemistry and module specs with your dealer before delivery.
Ask for the Whale battery platform documentation or the specific BMS parameters if you care about charging curves and thermal management.
Verify warranty coverage in writing, including the same terms if the vehicle uses CATL cells instead of CALB cells.
Confirm the vehicle’s eligibility for the national purchase‑tax incentive and expected delivery timeline.
If you manage a fleet, check for consistency across vehicles if you require uniform battery behavior for operations and telematics.

Linking opportunities and internal SEO suggestions

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CATL 82 kWh cells — link to CATL product pages or datasheets.
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vehicle purchase tax incentive — link to official government policy pages or tax guidance.

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