CATL battery extends 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 charging. The battery is expected to go into mass production by the end of 2023 and be available for shipping in 2024. Shenxing is the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery, utilizing lithium iron phosphate technology. CATL's growth has been driven by the EV boom in China, although they face competition from BYD.

FutureCar Staff Aug 26, 2023 5:13 PM PT

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

CATL, the Chinese battery giant and a major supplier to Tesla, has introduced its latest product called Shenxing, which aims to address the charging and range limitations of electric vehicles. According to Gao Han, the chief technology officer of CATL's e-car division, the battery can provide up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging.

This means that vehicles powered by Shenxing can travel from New York to Boston (approximately 215 miles) after only 10 minutes of fast charging. The battery is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2023 and shipping is set to commence in 2024.

Shenxing is being marketed as "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, replacing nickel-cobalt-aluminum.

China has been a strong advocate of LFP technology, which has been spearheaded by CATL, a leading player in the renewable energy sector. CATL currently holds a 35% share of the global EV battery market in Q1, according to research firm SNE. LFP batteries are known for their affordability and chemical stability, although they have a lower energy density compared to other battery chemistries, which can limit the range of electric vehicles.

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 consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, CATL faces strong competition from BYD, another Chinese EV giant that manufactures its own batteries. In Q1, BYD held the second position in the global EV battery market with a 16.2% share.