(Yicai Global) Nov. 29 -- Xpeng Motors has rebutted reports that the Chinese electric vehicle startup plans to start developing its own batteries.

Xpeng has no plans to develop batteries, as it is focused on its main car manufacturing business, the Guangzhou-based company said on its official Weibo account yesterday.

According to recent media reports, the automaker has 100 staff in its battery research and development team, which is led by former BMW senior battery engineer Zhong Liang, adding that Xpeng has been actively dealing with downstream and upstream battery raw material suppliers. Zhong was appointed six months ago, 36Kr reported yesterday, citing sources.

Other Chinese carmakers, such as Nio, GAC Group, Great Wall Motor, and Geely Automobile Holdings, have set out plans to develop their own batteries.

Xpeng set up Guangzhou Pengbo Automotive Technology on Nov. 16 with registered capital of CNY5 billion (USD695 million) and a business scope that includes battery production, battery parts making, and motor manufacturing. But it has nothing to do with self-developing batteries, Xpeng said.

Xpeng’s strategy is to have multiple battery suppliers, including China Lithium Battery Technology, Contemporary Amperex Technology, Eve Energy, and Svolt Energy Technology. CATL is the main supplier.

Nio set up its battery-making unit Nio Battery Technology Anhui on Oct. 21, after GAC announced a CNY10.9 billion (USD1.5 billion) investment in building a battery production line in August. And Svolt Energy, the world’s 10th biggest battery maker, is a spin-off of Great Wall Motor.

Editor: Futura Costaglione