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 (250 miles) 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. LFP batteries are known for their affordability and stability, although they have a lower energy density compared to other chemistries.

FutureCar Staff Aug 29, 2023 12:10 AM PT

CATL unveils fast-charging battery with impressive range boost

CATL, one of China's leading battery manufacturers and a major supplier to Tesla, has introduced a new battery called Shenxing, which aims to address the charging and range limitations of electric vehicles. During a recent launch briefing, Gao Han, the Chief Technology Officer of CATL's e-car division, revealed 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 a quick 10-minute charging session. The company plans to commence mass production of the battery by the end of 2023 and begin shipping in 2024.

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

China has been a strong advocate of LFP technology, which has been spearheaded by CATL, a prominent player in the country's 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 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 sector has started to slow down due to reduced government subsidies and decreased consumer demand resulting from the post-COVID economic downturn. Additionally, CATL faces fierce competition from BYD, another Chinese EV giant that manufactures its own batteries. In Q1, BYD held the second-place position in the global EV battery market with a 16.2% share.