China's CATL launches game-changing batteries
Three new batteries that push the boundaries of battery technology unveiled at CATL Tech DayChinese battery maker CATL has launched three new batteries that are all tipped to significantly advance the evolution of the electric car.
Unwrapped as part of CATL’s recent Tech Day, the new units have sent shockwaves throughout the battery-making industry.
The first is called the Freevoy Dual Power Battery. With its new dual-core architecture, it is said to deliver a maximum pure-electric range of 1500km.
That figure means CATL thinks it could make range-extending long-distance hybrids extinct overnight.
Designed to incorporate two independent energy zones – a main energy area and a second range extension area – the new construction has been heralded as revolutionary, as it implements different materials within each section.
The new Freevoy Dual Power Battery also employs the battery-maker’s latest thermal runaway protection and improves thermal management, enhancing safety well beyond that of current tech.
Instead of traditional graphite anodes, CATL has employed self-generating negative electrode tech that allows for a higher energy capacity.
“This technology represents a fundamental shift in how we approach electric vehicle range limitations,” said CATL.
“By combining two distinct battery technologies in one package, we’re able to optimise both high-power performance and extended range capabilities.”
The second innovation is equally significant, as the Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery heralds charging speeds well beyond its rivals and combines a range of around 800km with an incredible charging speed that exceeds 1300kW.
That sees 2.5km added every second and, after a quick five-minute charge, adds more than 520km of range when topping up with China’s latest megawatt charging stations.
Equally impressive is its performance in freezing -10°C charging conditions, when a 5-80 per cent top up still takes just 15 minutes.
At low charge levels, CATL said the new battery can still deliver an incredible 830kW of power.
The third major announcement from CATL has been the launch of its highly anticipated sodium-ion battery, which goes into mass production in December.
Designed to be compatible with both hybrid and electric vehicles, the new sodium battery sets new highs for energy density (175Wh/kg) and will provide range-extender hybrids with over 200km of EV range, while allowing regular EVs to cover a respectable 500km on a single charge.
Developed to be capable of being charged over 10,000 times in its life cycle (the equivalent of five million kilometres), the new sodium-ion batteries are said to be far safer than traditional lithium-ion cells, withstanding compression tests, needle penetration, electric drill penetration and even battery sawing without resulting in fire or explosion.
In cold weather the sodium-ion batteries deliver exceptional performance and can happily charge in -30°C from 30 to 80 per cent in just 30 minutes.
Even with a 10 per cent charge, a sodium-ion powered car can still maintain a highway speed of 120km/h.
For decades now it has been hoped sodium-ion batteries could herald a new wave of affordable EVs priced well below combustion-powered vehicles.
Considerably cheaper to produce out of freely available raw materials, it’s thought the sodium-ion batteries could cost between 25-30 per cent less than the cheapest lithium-ion cells.
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