While the energy storage industry has shifted away from the concept of “bigger is better,” CATL’s 587Ah cell finds a practical balance between energy density, regulatory compliance, and system integration. The new cell is engineered to fit standard 20-foot containers operating at 1,500V power conversion system (PCS) voltage levels. By doing so, it supports simplified system architectures and reduces the number of modules and enclosures required—from 30,000 down to 18,000. The design also meets the 45-tonne transportation limit for hazardous goods, addressing common challenges of overweight and safety concerns in large-scale energy storage systems.
In terms of performance, the 587Ah cell introduces several technical advancements. It features a refined lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry that increases volumetric energy density to 434 Wh/L—10% higher than the previous generation. This enables a 25% improvement in overall system energy density. The round-trip efficiency reaches 96.5% due to enhancements in mechanical design, material chemistry, and electrode architecture. CATL’s use of a self-healing anionic electrolyte and a newly developed additive-based film-forming agent contributes to longer cycle life and improved durability.
CATL highlights four major performance pillars: real performance, real reliability, real safety, and real delivery.
Real performance: Alongside higher energy density, the cell benefits from upgraded materials and design. These deliver consistent output and longer operation cycles. The improvements enhance lifecycle return on investment by 5% compared to the earlier version.
Real reliability: The 587Ah cell addresses long-standing issues like self-discharge through a combination of structural improvements, material upgrades, and precise data modeling. According to CATL, its fault rate is significantly lower than traditional stacked-cell solutions.
Real safety: Safety measures include a three-dimensional protection system—comprising a fire-retardant electrolyte, a non-diffusive anode, and a heat-resistant separator. The cell has passed rigorous safety evaluations including overcharge, thermal runaway, and nail penetration tests. It also meets China’s national safety standards GB/T 36276 and GB 44240.
Real delivery: Enabled by CATL’s advanced smart manufacturing, the new cell achieves industry benchmarks with a parts-per-billion defect rate and a 7.5 sigma safety control level. Production throughput has increased by 50%, while carbon emissions during production are down by 57%.
With the rollout of the 587Ah cell, CATL continues to reinforce its leadership in the global energy storage market by delivering improved safety, performance, and sustainability in large-scale applications.
