The next generation of electric cars is set to have batteries in their frames as Tesla and Chinese rivals race to offer 600 miles of range per charge.
Leapmotor, the Chinese firm, claims that it will be the first to bring out an electric car, called C01, featuring what is known as cell-to-chassis or cell-to-body batteries this month.
Experts have said this will provide a subtle but significant change to the way the cars are powered. Rather than fitting battery cells together into a block that is slotted into a battery-shaped space in the chassis beneath the internal flooring, the cells in the next generation of cars will form part of the chassis itself. They will be able to bear a load, with the battery