Enhance the core competitiveness of new energy vehicles

Robots work in concert with workers on an automated battery assembly production line at BYD Automobile Co., Ltd. on Feb. 10.

On February 10, the reporter walked into the Caotang Factory of Xi'an High-tech Zone of BYD Automobile Co., Ltd., and the new power battery project with an annual output of 20GWh (100 million watt-hours) has been completed and put into operation, and has achieved full load operation. The project injects strong impetus into the market competitiveness of new energy vehicles in our province, and will greatly enhance the technical strength of the core components industry of new energy vehicles in our province.

On the battery assembly automation production line of BYD's 20GWh new power battery project, through the implementation of fine management, yellow robots work in concert with workers wearing blue overalls. The robot is flexible and efficient, the workers are calm and meticulous, and the entire production process is in one go and orderly.

According to reports, BYD's 20GWh new power battery project is invested by Xi'an Zhongdi Lithium Battery Co., Ltd. to invest 12 billion yuan to build, aiming to achieve local support for new energy vehicles of BYD Automobile Co., Ltd., mainly producing battery cells, modules and battery packs for BYD DM-i super hybrid models. The project has high technical content and high investment intensity, which has a major role in promoting the improvement of the new energy industry chain in Xi'an High-tech Zone and the improvement of the local supporting capacity of the new energy automobile industry.

The reporter learned that BYD's DM-i super hybrid model uses a new power battery - super lithium iron phosphate battery, which is also called "blade battery" in the industry. Compared with ternary batteries, the safety performance of "blade batteries" is better, and the probability of fire and explosion of the battery cells is lower under extreme conditions such as high temperature, overcharging, external force extrusion, and needle punching. In addition, the "blade battery" has a longer service life and lower manufacturing costs, and the battery cells of the "blade battery" have a larger heat dissipation area and are more resistant to low temperatures.

After BYD's 20GWh new power battery project is fully produced, it is expected to have an annual output value of 22 billion yuan and provide 5,000 jobs. The project started construction in April 2021, and as of now, 10 battery production lines have been completed and put into operation. (Reporter Shen Qianwen/Photo)