Is the battery demand about to迎来 a new boom? National People's Congress representative and China Innovation Aviation Liu Jingyu: The low-altitude economy and humanoid robots are entering a period of explosive growth.

This article is from Times Weekly, author Zhao Peng.

“Regarding energy security, we should treat it as firmly as we do food security, keeping the initiative in our own hands,” said Liu Jingyu, a delegate to the National People’s Congress and Chairman of China Innovation航 (3931.HK), in an interview with Times Weekly. She stated that going global for energy companies has shifted from an optional choice to an essential, unavoidable question.

Transitioning from fossil fuels to a new energy system centered on electricity and dominated by renewable energy is an inevitable path. As the core energy carrier and conversion hub, batteries are becoming a key infrastructure supporting this transformation.

As a representative from the energy industry, Liu Jingyu’s top concern this year is how to enable batteries—the “heart of energy”—to support future industries like low-altitude economy and humanoid robots, while also strengthening the foundation of national energy security.

Regarding the company’s digital and intelligent transformation, Liu Jingyu pointed out that China Innovation航 is advancing an “AI + Energy” strategy. The goal is not only to become a leading battery expert but also to empower the company with AI and build a world-class energy enterprise.

In R&D, AI large models accelerate the exploration and simulation of new materials; in manufacturing, intelligent quality inspection, predictive maintenance, and process optimization are implemented; in operations, a more agile networked organization and decision-making system are being built. The fundamental purpose is to drive continuous pursuit of ultimate product performance and cost through a “technology innovation + management innovation” dual engine, ultimately forging systemic competitiveness for the future.

Energy security is crucial

This year’s “Government Work Report” mentioned that by 2025, China’s new energy vehicle production will exceed 16 million units, and new energy storage installations will surpass 130 million kilowatts. Liu Jingyu believes these achievements confirm that the new energy industry has become an important part of the national economy.

As a representative from the new energy sector, Liu Jingyu has been contemplating how to translate the macro goals of the “14th Five-Year Plan” into concrete industry practices. Particularly in future industries like low-altitude economy and humanoid robots, solid-state battery technology is a key breakthrough.

This year, Liu Jingyu’s core suggestion is to deepen the integration of technological and industrial innovation to cultivate new productive forces and support national energy security. She recommends further strengthening policy coordination, increasing support for enterprises capable of R&D, manufacturing, and application across the entire chain, and promoting the deep integration of digital intelligence technologies with future scenarios, helping China seize opportunities in global future industry competition.

The reason energy security is a core concern in Liu Jingyu’s two sessions proposals stems from her profound experience in the energy field.

Liu Jingyu believes, “Regarding energy security, we must keep the initiative in our own hands, just as we do with food security. We need longer-term planning for the development of the new energy sector. Energy security is not only vital to people’s livelihoods but also to national development strategies. Transitioning from fossil fuels to a new energy system centered on electricity and renewables is an unavoidable path. In this process, batteries are the core energy carrier and conversion hub. As an energy technology company, China Innovation航’s development must integrate into the national energy security framework, using real technology and products to solidify the foundation of energy independence.”

Battery demand is becoming more diverse

With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the application scenarios for batteries are continuously expanding. Liu Jingyu stated that beyond electric vehicles and energy storage, battery technology is empowering a broader range of applications. The demand for clean energy and electrification in green shipping, zero-carbon mines, and zero-carbon parks is rapidly growing. The low-altitude economy and humanoid robots, as future industries, are also entering a period of explosive growth. Power batteries for these two sectors are also major focus areas for China Innovation航.

“Compared to traditional power batteries, the requirements for batteries in low-altitude aircraft and humanoid robots differ,” Liu Jingyu explained to Times Weekly. “Low-altitude aircraft need ultra-high energy density, high power output, and maximum safety to support vertical takeoff and flight, while humanoid robots emphasize inherent safety, lightweight design, and long endurance to adapt to complex human-machine interaction environments.”

2025 is called the “Year of Low-Altitude Economy,” and China Innovation航 is actively providing energy solutions for its commercialization. Among them, the “Top Stream All-round” cylindrical batteries have been integrated into several eVTOL star products, and China Innovation航 is the first in the industry to pass the compliance review for eVTOL power batteries.

Liu Jingyu introduced that by 2025, China Innovation航 will have developed solid-state batteries for robots and aircraft with an energy density of over 450Wh+/kg, and a 60Ah automotive-grade all-solid-state battery with an energy density of over 400Wh+/kg. In terms of industrialization, China Innovation航 has established an industry-leading all-solid-state production line.

Additionally, Liu Jingyu believes that signing strategic cooperation agreements with upstream and downstream companies in the low-altitude economy and jointly promoting airworthiness standards are crucial for its commercialization.

As a future industry with technological innovation and forward-looking potential, the commercialization of the low-altitude economy depends on the standard system’s regulation and guidance. Gaining standard-setting power means controlling the technological route, safety norms, and industry development. Especially in the context of global competition, this directly affects whether China can secure a leading position in the industry.

Going global for energy companies becomes an unavoidable question

Against the backdrop of accelerated global energy transition and deepening industrial chain restructuring, the domestic market capacity and growth space are gradually stabilizing, and the international stage has become the next strategic high ground for companies.

In this process, trade barriers, geopolitical risks, cultural conflicts, and compliance challenges are ever-present. However, closing the door is no longer an option; the only way forward is to actively embed into the global energy network, forging resilience through open competition.

Currently, China Innovation航 has established 14 major industrial bases and 5 R&D centers across China, Europe, and ASEAN, forming a global industrial layout. Liu Jingyu pointed out, “Going abroad is not a choice but a necessity. It has become an unavoidable topic for the development of the energy industry.”

Times Weekly noted that China Innovation航 has chosen “Europe + Southeast Asia” for its regional layout. Specifically, the Portugal base has invested 16.8 billion yuan, and the Thailand factory has already begun mass production and delivery.

The Portugal project covers 45 hectares and mainly produces power and energy storage batteries for electric vehicles and storage systems. The Portuguese government will provide a subsidy of 350 million euros (about 2.853 billion yuan).

Regarding the reasons for choosing Portugal and Thailand for overseas expansion, Liu Jingyu told Times Weekly, “Europe is the second-largest new energy market globally. Our goal is to build an ‘AI Zero-Carbon Super Factory’ in Portugal, using the greenest technology and most efficient manufacturing to serve European automakers and energy storage customers.”

The choice of Thailand is based on Southeast Asia being one of the most dynamic emerging markets, with a rapidly forming industrial chain. The core task of the Thailand factory is to quickly achieve localized assembly and delivery, responding agilely to the ASEAN market’s demand for power batteries and energy storage systems.

“Our goal is to become a trusted partner in clean energy for global customers,” Liu Jingyu said. “In suitable markets and at the right time, China Innovation航 will explore mergers, acquisitions, and strategic cooperation to quickly gain customer recognition, build brand and channels, integrate into local industry networks, and achieve mutual benefits and shared development with host countries.”