CATL expands global battery repair services to mitigate quality risks

CATL, a leading battery manufacturer, is expanding its global service network to address quality risks and rising costs in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. At the Ning Day 2026 event, the company announced plans to expand its after-sales services to 100 cities worldwide by the second half of 2026. Through its Ning Service brand, CATL aims to shift the industry away from replacing entire battery packs toward a “precision repair” model. This approach allows for cell-to-pack (CTP) repairs, where individual cells are replaced, potentially reducing repair costs by up to ten times.

Currently, CATL operates direct service centers in China, Norway, and Turkey, alongside 1,376 franchised centers across 84 countries. These centers utilize automated robots to diagnose and repair batteries, with a target processing time of under 72 hours.

This expansion comes as CATL Chairman Robin Zeng warned of potential mass battery failures due to the rapid pace of the EV market. With approximately 600 new models launched in China since the start of 2026, Zeng noted that shortened testing cycles increase the risk of batch defects. To mitigate these risks, CATL has implemented a strict quality standard of 1 PPB (one defective cell per billion), which is 1,000 times more stringent than the industry standard of 1 PPM. The company also utilizes an independent “Opponent Group” with the authority to veto projects or batches if technical risks are identified.