CATL battery boosts Tesla range by 400km in just 10 minutes

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【Summary】CATL, a major supplier to Tesla, has unveiled a new battery called Shenxing that can add up to 400km of range in just 10 minutes of fast charging. The battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2023. CATL is known for its cheap prices and chemical stability, but faces competition from other manufacturers like BYD.

FutureCar Staff Aug 16, 2023 4:21 PM PT

CATL battery boosts Tesla range by 400km in just 10 minutes

CATL, a Chinese battery company and a major supplier to Tesla, has introduced its latest product aimed at addressing the charging and range limitations of electric vehicles. The new battery, called Shenxing or "god-like movement," can provide up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging, according to Gao Han, the chief technology officer of CATL's e-car division. This means that vehicles equipped with Shenxing can travel from New York to Boston, a distance of approximately 215 miles, after just a brief charging session. Mass production of the battery is expected to begin by the end of 2023, with shipping scheduled to commence in 2024.

Shenxing claims to be the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery. LFP stands for lithium iron phosphate, a battery chemistry that Tesla widely adopted in 2021 for its shorter-range cars instead of nickel-cobalt-aluminum. China has been a strong advocate for LFP technology, which is spearheaded by CATL, a leading player in the global EV battery market with a 35% share in Q1, as reported by research firm SNE. Although LFP batteries have a lower energy density compared to other chemistries, they are known for their affordability and chemical stability.

CATL's impressive growth has been driven by the booming EV industry in China in recent years. However, the industry is now experiencing a slowdown due to reduced government subsidies and a contraction in consumer demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, CATL faces fierce competition from BYD, another Chinese EV giant that produces its own batteries. In Q1, BYD held the second-largest share of the global EV battery market with 16.2%, trailing behind CATL.