Key Takeaways
1. CATL has developed a 5C battery that can be fully charged in just 12 minutes and maintains 80% capacity through its lifespan, achieving 1.8 million kilometers (1.12 million miles) before significant capacity loss.
2. The battery can endure 1,400 charge-discharge cycles at extreme temperatures (60°C) and up to 3,000 cycles in milder conditions (20°C), making it the first million-mile EV battery with rapid charging capabilities.
3. CATL’s range estimates for electric vehicles equipped with this battery are based on a 600 km (373-mile) average, which may be optimistic compared to EPA figures, but still allows for up to 750,000 miles of use before recycling.
4. Innovations in battery design include self-repairing electrodes, consistent coating on the cathode to prevent cracks, and improved cooling systems, all contributing to enhanced longevity and safety.
5. CATL is collaborating with NIO to supply these long-lasting batteries, aiming for a 15-year warranty and at least 85% capacity retention, which could significantly benefit the second-hand EV market.
The largest battery manufacturer in the world has successfully combined the durability of electric vehicle (EV) batteries with rapid charging features. Following the introduction of the 4C Shenxing battery, which can go from 0-80% in just 15 minutes last year, a new version of its chemistry and production technique has increased the charging speed to 5C while ensuring a long lifespan.
Impressive Charging Speed
The latest 5C battery from CATL can be fully charged in only 12 minutes and still maintain at least 80% of its capacity throughout the electric vehicle’s lifespan. It can handle 1,400 complete charge-discharge cycles at 5C speeds in extreme heat of 60°C (120°F), or an astonishing 3,000 cycles in milder 20°C weather.
This advancement means that CATL has developed the first million-mile EV battery capable of 5C charging, making those quick coffee-break charging advertisements a reality. The company claims that this battery can power an electric vehicle for over 1.8 million kilometers, which is around 1.12 million miles, before its capacity decreases to 80% of the original.
Range Estimates and Comparisons
It’s important to note that CATL’s calculations are based on a 600 km (373-mile) average EV range, which may seem a bit too optimistic, likely reflecting the local CLTC range testing cycle. This estimate is about a third more generous than the EPA’s figures in the US, as it includes more urban driving.
However, even with this discrepancy, electric cars equipped with CATL’s new long-lasting battery will manage to cover up to 750,000 miles before the battery needs recycling, effectively outliving the vehicle based on the average annual mileage in the US.
Innovations in Battery Design
To achieve such remarkable longevity, CATL has tackled three main vulnerabilities associated with fast-charging EV batteries. Firstly, the electrodes have been engineered to self-repair by incorporating an SEI additive into the electrolyte, which helps to heal microcracks that develop during rapid charging. These cracks lead to lithium leakage and accelerate battery capacity loss.
Furthermore, the coating film on the cathode has been made more consistent to reduce the occurrence of these cracks, while the separator coating diminishes ion transfer during elevated temperatures, thus preventing thermal runaway.
Additionally, the design of the battery pack has been enhanced, allowing coolant to be directed to the areas that need it most at any moment, ensuring the cells stay cool under any conditions and significantly extending the lifespan of the pack.
Future Collaborations
While CATL has not yet disclosed which automaker will be the first to utilize its new long-lasting fast-charging batteries, it has recently entered into an agreement with NIO to supply these batteries that are expected to last the entire lifespan of an EV.
Both NIO and CATL are working towards establishing a national EV standard that would require a 15-year battery warranty, ensuring at least 85% capacity retention. The technology appears to be in place, and CATL’s new million-mile 5C battery could dramatically enhance the second-hand EV market as well, as battery lifespan has been a primary concern for buyers of used electric vehicles, especially regarding fast-charging capabilities.
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