CATL to Develop Exclusive Batteries for Skyla V30 eVTOL

CATL (HKEX: 3750) has signed strategic and product cooperation agreements with Blue Vector Intelligent Technology to develop aviation batteries for the company's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Under the partnership, the Hangzhou, Zhejiang province-based aircraft developer has selected CATL as its exclusive battery partner, according to a statement released by the battery manufacturer on Monday. The collaboration marks another step in CATL's expansion into electric aviation, with the initial focus on developing customized battery solutions for Blue Vector's Skyla V30 aircraft.

The cooperation will primarily support the Skyla V30, developed under Skyla Aviation, Blue Vector's eVTOL business. CATL will develop custom batteries specifically for the aircraft. However, the companies have not disclosed the agreement's financial value, battery specifications or expected supply timeline. The absence of these details means the partnership's commercial scale and the technical characteristics of the planned battery systems remain undisclosed. The agreement establishes CATL as the exclusive battery development partner for the Skyla V30, while further information about the development and supply arrangements has yet to be announced.

The Skyla V30 is a six-seat, all-electric tiltrotor aircraft designed for intercity passenger transportation. Its first full-scale technology demonstrator, designated A/C01, rolled out on August 31 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, in northeastern China. The rollout represented an important development milestone for the aircraft program, moving the project toward full-aircraft engineering validation. The demonstrator is expected to undergo systems integration, ground testing and tilt-transition flight tests, according to plans disclosed when the aircraft was unveiled. These activities are intended to advance the V30 from its earlier design and development phase into the engineering validation stage.

Blue Vector has also reported commercial interest in the Skyla V30. On September 24, the company announced that it had signed pre-sales orders for 60 aircraft during the Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou. The agreements included 30 aircraft for Singapore-based aviation operator Moon Aero, marking the V30's first overseas pre-sales orders. At the time, Blue Vector said cumulative pre-sales orders had exceeded 100 aircraft since the model's global debut in July. The company also indicated that it planned to continue engineering validation and airworthiness certification activities as development of the aircraft progressed.

Alongside its aircraft development and commercial activities, Blue Vector has been securing funding to support research and development. On June 30, the company announced that it had completed a funding round exceeding 100 million yuan ($14.9 million). The round was jointly led by Shenzhen Capital Group and an unnamed industry-backed US dollar fund. According to the company, its eVTOL business had completed five funding rounds in nearly six months as of that announcement, raising more than 400 million yuan in total. The funding provides financial backing for the company's ongoing development activities, although the company did not disclose a specific allocation of the proceeds to individual projects.

For CATL, the Blue Vector agreement extends its existing involvement in electric aviation and eVTOL battery development. In August 2024, the company signed an agreement with Shanghai-based AutoFlight, committing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the aircraft manufacturer and jointly develop batteries for eVTOL applications. The arrangement established an earlier connection between CATL's battery business and the emerging electric aviation sector, demonstrating that its activities in this area extend beyond the newly announced Skyla V30 collaboration.

The partnership between CATL and AutoFlight subsequently expanded into aviation infrastructure development. In November 2025, AutoFlight unveiled a floating vertiport jointly developed with CATL. The concept integrated an eVTOL takeoff and landing platform, energy storage, charging facilities and other systems into a battery-powered vessel. The project brought together aircraft operations and supporting energy infrastructure within a single floating platform. Together with the earlier battery development agreement, the initiative illustrates the scope of CATL's collaboration with AutoFlight across electric aircraft technologies and associated infrastructure.

Industry Impact & Outlook

CATL's agreement with Blue Vector highlights the growing intersection between battery manufacturing and electric aviation development. Its selection as the exclusive battery partner for the Skyla V30 creates an opportunity to apply its battery development capabilities to a six-seat, all-electric tiltrotor aircraft, while extending its existing eVTOL collaborations. For Blue Vector, the partnership adds a dedicated battery development partner as the company advances engineering validation and airworthiness certification and pursues commercial orders. However, the undisclosed battery specifications, agreement value and supply timeline leave important technical and commercial details unresolved. The Skyla V30's subsequent development milestones will provide further indications of the partnership's progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CATL and Blue Vector partnership about?
CATL and Blue Vector Intelligent Technology have partnered to develop customized aviation batteries for the Skyla V30 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Under their strategic and product cooperation agreements, Blue Vector has selected CATL as its exclusive battery partner for the aircraft. The collaboration focuses on developing batteries tailored to the V30's requirements. The companies have not disclosed the agreement's financial value, battery specifications or expected supply timeline.

What is the Skyla V30 aircraft?
The Skyla V30 is a six-seat, all-electric tiltrotor aircraft developed by Skyla Aviation, the eVTOL business of Blue Vector Intelligent Technology. It is designed for intercity passenger transportation. Its first full-scale technology demonstrator, designated A/C01, rolled out on August 31 in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China. The development program includes systems integration, ground testing and tilt-transition flight tests as the aircraft progresses from design and development toward full-aircraft engineering validation.

How many pre-sales orders has Blue Vector secured for the Skyla V30?
Blue Vector reported that cumulative pre-sales orders for the Skyla V30 had exceeded 100 aircraft since the model's global debut in July. On September 24, the company separately announced pre-sales agreements for 60 aircraft at the Global Digital Trade Expo in Hangzhou. These included 30 aircraft for Singapore-based aviation operator Moon Aero, representing the V30's first overseas pre-sales orders. Blue Vector also stated that it planned to continue engineering validation and airworthiness certification activities.

How much funding has Blue Vector raised for its eVTOL business?
Blue Vector announced the completion of a funding round exceeding 100 million yuan ($14.9 million) on June 30. The round was jointly led by Shenzhen Capital Group and an unnamed industry-backed US dollar fund. The company also disclosed that its eVTOL business had completed five funding rounds in nearly six months as of that announcement. Across those rounds, Blue Vector had raised more than 400 million yuan in total to support its development activities.

What other electric aviation projects has CATL participated in?
CATL has previously collaborated with Shanghai-based AutoFlight on eVTOL batteries and supporting aviation infrastructure. In August 2024, the companies signed an agreement under which CATL committed to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in AutoFlight and jointly develop eVTOL batteries. In November 2025, AutoFlight unveiled a floating vertiport jointly developed with CATL. The platform integrated an eVTOL takeoff and landing facility, energy storage, charging and other systems into a battery-powered vessel.