CATL, the Chinese battery maker, and Blue Vector, an eVTOL developer based in Hangzhou, signed a strategic cooperation agreement and a product cooperation agreement on November 2, 2026. Under the deal CATL will develop a customised aviation battery for Blue Vector's SKYLA V30, and Blue Vector has named CATL as the aircraft's exclusive battery partner. Neither side disclosed the value of the deal, the battery's specifications or a delivery schedule.
The SKYLA V30 is a fully electric, six-seat tiltrotor designed mainly for passenger trips between cities, with tourism and emergency rescue also named as uses. Its rotors tilt so that it can take off and land vertically and then cruise like a fixed-wing aircraft. Blue Vector gives a top speed of 320 km/h and a design range of 260 km. Most reports place it in the 2-ton class, while one describes it as 2.5 tons. The aircraft is still in development, and the company says its next stages are system integration, ground testing and transition flight tests.
Blue Vector says it had more than 100 pre-orders by the end of September, including 30 aircraft for Singapore operator Moon Aero. Explaining the choice of partner, the company said the battery system "directly affects the aircraft's weight, range, flight performance and operating safety" (Blue Vector, via IT Home). Beyond supply, the two companies say they will cooperate on research, industry standards, market development and operations.
The agreement adds to CATL's work in electric aviation. In August 2024 it agreed to take a stake in Shanghai eVTOL maker AutoFlight and to develop eVTOL batteries with it. Together, the two deals show Chinese eVTOL developers lining up dedicated battery suppliers while their aircraft are still being tested, rather than after the design is fixed.
What this means for buyers: Battery supply is one of the main risks in any electric aircraft or large drone programme, and a dedicated partner of CATL's size makes consistent packs and long-term spares more likely once aircraft reach production. Buyers following passenger eVTOLs, or sourcing large cargo drones and their battery systems, should still ask for certification status, pack specifications and delivery dates in writing, since none have been published for this aircraft. If you are sourcing eVTOL or heavy-drone batteries, power systems or airframes from Chinese manufacturers, our team can help you compare suppliers and arrange samples.