Li Auto’s new i6 SUV achieves 811 km & 11.8 kWh/100km in range test without CATL’s help

Li Auto has livestreamed an endurance test of its new i6 SUV, achieving a driving range of 811.4 km from a 96 kWh battery. The refreshed SUV exceeded its CLTC range rating of 780 km (~632 km WLTP) by 4%, with overall consumption at 11.8 kWh/100km in an urban environment.

The new i6 marks a shift away from CATL as a battery supplier, with Li Auto opting for an in-house design and choosing CALB and Sunwoda as cell manufacturing partners. The i6 is set to enter the European market in Q1 2027 as the Li 6.

Test environment

Li Auto says it conducted the test around Lake Tai (Taihu) in the Yangtze Delta, with temperatures between 13 and 20°C. The i6 carried four occupants, their luggage, and 50 kg of additional gear. The automaker stresses that the air conditioning was on during the 18-hour drive.

Some EV enthusiasts may be disappointed to learn the range test was done in an entirely urban environment, with the i6 driving on roads with 40 to 80 km/h speed limits. Along with the optimal temperatures, these are highly favourable conditions for low consumption and long range.

The i6’s results

Li Auto’s livestream shows the i6 reached 811.4 km as its state of charge (SoC) dropped to 0%. The firm stresses that the vehicle was still operational at that point, suggesting the i6 could have driven further, albeit at limited speeds.

The i6’s final result exceeds its CLTC range rating by 4%. On WLTP range (640 km), the SUV beats it by almost 27%. Real-world range would be lower, especially on the highway or in cold climates.

Li Auto’s improvements

Li Xiang, Li Auto’s CEO, attributes the refreshed i6’s improved range to the automaker’s in-house battery, plus new self-developed drive motors and silicon carbide (SiC) power electronics. Li Auto receives the Lian Shan cells from CALB and Sunwoda, then assembles them in its own facility.

Dian Dong Che Zhu Ren, a Chinese automotive outlet, reports that this design change allows the i6 to carry an extra 3 kWh of cells. It also claims that Li Auto’s latest SiC power modules feature revised current paths that reduce operational losses and add 30 km of winter driving range.

The 5C charging-capable Lian Shan battery is likely to roll out to Li Auto’s existing lineup, and the automaker is also betting big on its safety capabilities. It pledges that Lian Shan packs will never self-ignite or combust in collisions, and like Xiaomi’s Dragonscale batteries, Li Auto is offering up a free new car if they do.