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

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【Summary】CATL, a major Tesla supplier, has unveiled a new battery called Shenxing that can add up to 400km of range in just 10 minutes of charging. The battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate technology, is expected to enter mass production by the end of 2023. CATL, a leader in the EV battery market, faces competition from other Chinese manufacturers like BYD.

FutureCar Staff Aug 21, 2023 4:43 PM PT

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

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, the chief technology officer of CATL's e-car division, revealed that the battery can provide up to 400 kilometers (250 miles) of range in just 10 minutes of charging. This means that vehicles equipped with Shenxing can travel from New York to Boston, a distance of approximately 215 miles, after a quick 10-minute charge. The company plans to commence mass production of the battery by the end of 2023, with shipping scheduled to begin 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 has widely adopted in 2021 for its shorter-range vehicles, replacing the nickel-cobalt-aluminum chemistry. China has been a strong advocate of LFP technology, led by CATL, its renewable energy champion. According to research firm SNE, CATL currently holds a 35% share of the global EV battery market in Q1, making it the market leader. LFP batteries are known for their affordability and chemical stability, although they have a lower energy density compared to other battery chemistries, which limits the range of electric vehicles.

CATL's remarkable 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 demand 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, with 16.2%.