CATL unveils fast-charging battery with impressive range boost

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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, expected to be in mass production by the end of 2023, is the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery. LFP batteries are known for their cheap prices and stability, but have lower energy density. CATL faces competition from BYD in the EV battery market.

FutureCar Staff Aug 24, 2023 9:58 AM PT

CATL unveils fast-charging battery with impressive range boost

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. During a launch briefing, Gao Han, chief technology officer of CATL's e-car division, stated that the Shenxing battery can provide up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging.

This means that vehicles equipped with the Shenxing battery can travel from New York to Boston, a distance of approximately 215 miles, after only a 10-minute fast charging session. The battery is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2023, with shipping commencing in 2024.

The Shenxing battery is marketed as "the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery." LFP refers to lithium iron phosphate, a type of battery chemistry that Tesla widely adopted in 2021 for its shorter-range cars, replacing nickel-cobalt-aluminum.

In China, LFP technology is strongly supported, particularly by CATL, a leading player in the renewable energy sector. According to research firm SNE, CATL currently holds a 35% share of the global EV battery market as of Q1. 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 driven by the surge in the Chinese EV industry in recent years. However, the industry is now experiencing a slowdown due to reduced government subsidies and a contraction in consumer spending following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, CATL faces fierce competition from BYD, another Chinese EV giant that also manufactures its own batteries. In Q1, BYD held the second-largest share of the global EV battery market at 16.2%.