Hongqi PP40 800V Hybrid Battery Enters Mass Production

According to the FAW Hongqi R&D Institute, the Hongqi PP40 800V hybrid battery recently entered mass production, marking an important step in the high-voltage development of the Hongqi Honghu Hybrid Platform. The battery is Hongqi’s first in-house-developed 800 V hybrid battery and is designed to improve safety performance, charging capability, and power output. It will initially be installed in the Hongqi H9 PHEV. The production milestone gives FAW Hongqi a higher-voltage battery system for hybrid applications, while the pack’s architecture and thermal-management technologies are intended to maintain performance under demanding operating conditions.

PP40 Battery Uses 800 V Hybrid Architecture

The PP40 combines an 800 V high-voltage architecture with high-rate ternary lithium-ion cells developed specifically for hybrid vehicles in collaboration with China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co Ltd. Its bottom protection structure is engineered to withstand impact energy of 700 J, adding a high-strength protective layer to the battery pack. A high-precision cooling system is also integrated into the design to support thermal control. These technologies form the core of the battery’s safety and performance strategy as Hongqi upgrades the electrical architecture of its hybrid platform.

Fast Charging Improves Hybrid Battery Capability

The PP40 is designed to significantly increase charging performance compared with conventional 400 V platforms. The battery can charge from 30% to 80% state of charge in 7.5 minutes, which represents a 50% improvement in charging efficiency over conventional 400 V systems. This capability is particularly relevant for plug-in hybrid vehicles because shorter charging periods can reduce the time required to replenish usable battery energy. The technology will first reach the Hongqi H9 PHEV, providing the model with an 800 V battery system intended to support faster charging alongside the vehicle’s hybrid powertrain requirements.

Thermal Management Supports High Power Output

The battery incorporates an intelligent thermal-management system that dynamically adjusts its heat-transfer rate according to power output and battery temperature. At room temperature, its peak discharge rate reaches 13C, while the rate remains as high as 7C at -20°C. The battery is reported to deliver a 30% improvement in power performance, helping address high-power requirements during rapid acceleration and hill climbing. Maintaining stronger output at low temperatures is also intended to mitigate sudden power drops, allowing the system to provide more stable high-power performance across a broad range of climatic conditions.

PP40 Battery Adds Continuous Safety Monitoring

Safety is addressed through both physical protection and electronic monitoring. The battery’s high-strength bottom structure is rated to withstand 700 J of impact energy, while its intelligent thermal-management system continuously adapts cooling behavior to operating conditions. The PP40 also incorporates big-data-based safety early-warning technology for continuous 24-hour status monitoring. Together, these systems are designed to identify and manage battery operating risks while maintaining thermal stability during demanding use. The approach combines structural protection, temperature management, and ongoing data analysis rather than relying on a single safety mechanism.

PP40 Battery Specifications and Performance

The main specifications disclosed for the PP40 highlight its focus on higher-voltage hybrid applications, rapid charging, high discharge capability, and operation across different temperatures. The battery is being introduced as part of the high-voltage upgrade of the Hongqi Honghu Hybrid Platform and will initially serve the Hongqi H9 PHEV. The disclosed figures provide a clear view of the system’s intended performance envelope, including its charging window, discharge rates, impact resistance, and reported power improvement.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The PP40’s move into mass production indicates a practical expansion of 800 V electrical architecture from higher-voltage vehicle applications into hybrid systems, with the immediate focus on China and the Hongqi H9 PHEV. Its combination of faster charging, high discharge capability, low-temperature performance, and continuous safety monitoring could strengthen the technical capabilities available within Hongqi’s hybrid portfolio. The next meaningful step will be deployment in production vehicles and evaluation of how the disclosed battery performance translates into real-world charging, acceleration, climbing, and cold-weather operation. Broader adoption will depend on vehicle integration and continued validation of these capabilities in customer use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PP40 battery?
The PP40 is Hongqi’s first in-house-developed 800 V hybrid battery and is designed for the high-voltage upgrade of the Hongqi Honghu Hybrid Platform. It uses high-rate ternary lithium-ion cells, a high-precision cooling system, intelligent thermal management, and big-data-based safety early-warning technology. The battery recently entered mass production and will initially be installed in the Hongqi H9 PHEV. Its disclosed capabilities include a 7.5-minute charge from 30% to 80% state of charge and peak discharge rates reaching 13C at room temperature.

How quickly can the PP40 battery charge?
The battery can charge from 30% to 80% state of charge in 7.5 minutes, according to the disclosed specifications. This represents a 50% improvement in charging efficiency compared with conventional 400 V platforms. The charging capability is supported by the battery’s 800 V architecture and high-precision cooling system, which are designed to manage the demands associated with higher-power charging. The PP40 will initially bring this capability to the Hongqi H9 PHEV as part of the vehicle’s high-voltage hybrid system.

How does the PP40 perform in cold temperatures?
The PP40 is designed to maintain strong discharge performance even at low temperatures. Its peak discharge rate reaches 13C at room temperature and remains as high as 7C at -20°C. The disclosed system also provides a 30% improvement in power performance, helping support high-power demands such as rapid acceleration and hill climbing. Its intelligent thermal-management system dynamically adjusts heat transfer according to power output and battery temperature, with the stated objective of reducing sudden power drops and maintaining stable high-power output across different climatic conditions.