CATL unveils fast-charging battery with 400km range boost in 10 minutes

author: FutureCar Staff    

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

This means that vehicles equipped with the Shenxing battery can travel from New York to Boston, a distance of about 215 miles, after only a 10-minute fast charging session. Mass production of the battery is expected to begin by the end of 2023, with shipping scheduled for 2024.

The Shenxing battery is being touted 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 instead of nickel-cobalt-aluminum. China has been a strong advocate for LFP technology, with CATL leading the way. In the first quarter of this year, CATL captured a 35% share of the global EV battery market, 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 affects the range of electric vehicles.

CATL's impressive growth has been fueled by the surge in the Chinese EV market in recent years. However, the EV industry is slowing down due to reduced government subsidies and a contraction in consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, CATL faces intense competition from BYD, the Chinese EV giant that also manufactures its own batteries. In the first quarter, BYD held the second-place position in the global EV battery market with a 16.2% share.

FutureCar Staff