Chinese EV maker BYD plans to end production of pouch batteries in its best-selling hybrids as it reportedly seeks to address durability concerns and risks of leaking electrolyte.
Reuters reported that BYD last month began converting pouch-type cell production lines in two of its factories – in Shaanxi and Zhejiang provinces. They will produce prismatic batteries instead, according to its sources, whom it did not name.
It is still making pouch cells at a factory in Qinghai province to minimise disruption to its hybrid vehicles. It plans to end pouch cell production there in early 2025, it reported.
BYD has been asked for comment.
No cases of battery leakages from BYD cars have been reported by the automaker or Chinese regulators to the public, according to the report. It said BYD and some industry experts believe pouch batteries have a higher chance of leaking electrolyte.
In extreme cases, that can cause explosion or fire.
Volkswagen and Tesla, for example, have both said they do not favour pouch cells.
