‘Superfast’ charging battery shows promise for EVs

The new battery, named Shexing, is expected to be mass-produced from the end of the year and reach market in the first quarter of 2024, according to the Chinese firm. It currently supplies batteries for Tesla, Toyota and VW. 

The company said the battery will “open a new era of electric vehicle (EV) superfast charging”. 

The lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery is reportedly capable of running 400km (248 miles) on a 10-minute charge. It is also said to have a range of over 700km (435 miles) on a single full charge. 

This would allow EV users to go 60 per cent further than the average EV in 2023.

“We hope through continuous efforts to improve technology and reduce costs, Shenxing will become a standard product available for every EV,” said Gao Huan, CTO of CATL’s China e-car business. 

The company said the increase in battery capacity and charge time was achieved through a “brand-new superconducting electrolyte formula” that results in improved conductivity.

CATL was the largest global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries in 2022. However, the company has not revealed which automakers would be the first to receive the batteries. 

Battery charging has long been one of the main barriers to the uptake of EVs. 

In the UK there are currently fewer than 39,000 public charge points in the whole of the UK. A study from 2021 found that the installation of chargers needs to increase by five times the current rate if the plan to phase out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030 is to be achieved.

However, concerns have also been raised regarding the risks that accompany lithium-ion batteries. They are responsible for around 48 per cent of all waste fires occurring in the UK each year, costing waste operators, fire services and the environment approximately £158m annually, according to research published by Eunomia.