CATL will develop a custom aviation battery for the Skyla V30, an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Chinese manufacturer Blue Vector. According to CATL, the companies signed strategic and product cooperation agreements on November 2. Blue Vector has named CATL its exclusive battery partner for the aircraft. Neither company disclosed the deal’s value, battery specifications or a supply timeline.
Six-Seat Tiltrotor for Intercity Flights
The Skyla V30 is an all-electric, six-seat tiltrotor in the two-ton class. Hangzhou-based Blue Vector is developing it for passenger flights between cities. According to the companies, the battery is intended to meet the aircraft’s range and safety requirements. The cooperation also covers research, standards and operational applications.
The aircraft is still in development. Its first full-scale technology demonstrator rolled out in Harbin on August 31, 2026. Systems integration, ground testing and transition flight tests are next. By late September, Blue Vector reported pre-sales orders for more than 100 aircraft. The certification status has not been disclosed.
CATL Expands Its Aviation Activities
The agreement extends CATL’s presence in the eVTOL sector. In August 2024, CATL agreed to invest in Shanghai-based Autoflight and to develop eVTOL batteries with the company. In November 2025, Autoflight presented a floating vertiport developed jointly with CATL. It combines a takeoff and landing platform with energy storage and charging.
Sources:
https://cnevpost.com/2026/11/02/catl-evtol-partnership-blue-vector/
https://autonews.gasgoo.com/articles/news/2117519965581893633
