CATL’s New Lithium Ion Battery Can Easily Outlast Electric Cars

Battery technology has come leaps and bounds ahead in the decade or so as electric vehicles gain more prominence across the globe. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited. (CATL) has developed a new battery that can outlast not only electric cars but also humans. The company released a video of the same on YouTube recently.

Codenamed 5C, the new lithium-ion battery is claimed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity even after 3,000 full charge cycles when fast-charged under optimal conditions of around 20 degree celsius. If one works out the maths, it comes out to be roughly around 1.8 million kilometers. Yes, most of it is theoretical at this stage but it is still a result that hasn’t been achieved by any battery technology yet.

The numbers are still impressive if temperatures soar high. The Chinese battery manufacturer claims that the battery still holds 80 percent capacity after 1,400 charging cycles when the mercury hits 60 degrees celsius. This roughly translates to 8,40,000 km which is still much more than a vehicle owned by a single user. 

The “C” rating refers to the battery’s charge and discharge rate. A 5C battery can achieve a full charge in roughly 12 minutes, classifying it as an ultra-fast charging unit. To support such high charging speeds, the battery must maintain structural integrity and effective thermal management during operation.

New battery chemistry involved

According to CATL, the secret behind these exceptional claims is its chemistry. The battery employs a more uniform cathode coating to minimise structural damage, a specialised electrolyte additive that helps heal microscopic cracks, and a temperature-responsive separator layer that slows ion movement if temperatures rise excessively. In addition, the battery management system can direct cooling to specific hotspots within the pack.

Additionally, CATL has also upgraded its battery management system (BMS). When temperatures rise in a specific area of the battery pack, the system can precisely channel coolant to that location, which is said to significantly extend the overall lifespan of the pack and make everyday use of pure electric vehicles more reliable and convenient. 

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CATL has yet to disclose a timeline for mass production of the upgraded battery or clarify which vehicle models or commercial applications will adopt it first. Given a complex chemistry and such strong credentials, it will cost an OEM a fortune to acquire this until and unless CATL finds a way to streamline production for this battery.