CATL Bedrock Chassis: A Game-Changer for EV Safety
Chinese battery innovator CATL has introduced the Bedrock chassis, a groundbreaking development that redefines safety standards for electric vehicles (EVs). Designed to absorb up to 85% of collision energy, the Bedrock chassis surpasses traditional structures, which typically manage only 60%. Its advanced high-voltage disconnection system activates within 0.01 seconds in a crash, preventing fires and ensuring passenger safety.
Raising the Bar for Safety in Electric Vehicles
During its December 24 unveiling, CATL demonstrated the Bedrock chassis’s resilience through an extreme crash test. In the test, a prototype vehicle endured a head-on collision at 120 km/h—more than double the standard speed in China’s New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP). Despite the intense impact, the vehicle avoided ignition or explosion, establishing a new safety milestone.
At 120 km/h, the energy of the crash equates to a fall from 56 meters—4.6 times the energy at C-NCAP’s standard 56 km/h. CATL highlighted that no New Energy Vehicle (NEV) had previously attempted such an extreme test.
Bedrock’s Innovations Reshape the EV Landscape
Bedrock integrates battery cells directly into the chassis, creating a unified structure capable of exceptional impact absorption. Following a collision, its high-voltage circuit disconnects instantly, while residual energy discharges entirely within 0.2 seconds, setting an industry record.
This innovative design “debunks the myth” that internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are inherently safer than EVs, CATL stated. The Bedrock chassis is expected to propel the EV industry forward, opening new market opportunities and accelerating the adoption of modular and intelligent automotive design.
AVATR will be the first automaker to adopt this transformative technology, signaling a shift toward safer, more innovative EVs. With the Bedrock chassis, CATL not only sets new safety benchmarks but also redefines the future of electric mobility.
