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China discovers ‘breakthrough’ EV battery that could double range to 1,000+ km

Chinese scientists have developed a new EV battery capable of delivering over 1,000 km (620 miles) of driving range with an energy density above 700 Wh/kg.

China develops new ultra-high-energy-density EV battery

China is already dominating global electric vehicle battery sales, with CATL and BYD accounting for over 55% of the market alone last year.

To promote safer, more efficient, higher-energy-density batteries, Chinese scientists, automakers, and battery manufacturers are teaming up to pool their resources.

The efforts are paying off, with another “breakthrough” EV battery announced on Thursday. A research paper was published in the science journal Nature detailing the latest development.

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According to Chen Jun, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who led the battery development, the team created a new electrolyte system that replaces oxygen atoms with fluorine ones. Lab tests revealed that the battery could achieve an energy density exceeding 700 Wh/kg.

In extremely cold temperatures as low as -50°C (-58°F), the battery maintained an energy density of nearly 400 Wh/kg.

Chen explained that energy density and cold-weather performance are two of the biggest hurdles to widespread EV adoption.

By using fluorinated hydrocarbon solvent molecules and a lithium-fluorine system, the team improved ion conductivity and stability at ultra-high energy densities.

The new high-energy-density batteries “have vast potential in new energy vehicles,” Chen said, adding that they can be used in intelligent robots, polar regions, aerospace, and aviation.

China-EV-battery-breakthrough
Hongqi Tiangong 06 electric SUV (Source: FAW Hongqi)

The breakthrough is the latest in a recent string of promising battery developments in China. Earlier this month, Chen’s team, in collaboration with FAW Group’s Hongqi brand, installed the “industry’s first” lithium-rich manganese solid-liquid EV battery in a vehicle.

The ultra-high-energy-density battery, developed by Chen’s team and FAW’s battery unit, China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co Ltd, boasts an energy density of 500 Wh/kg and can deliver a CLTC driving range of over 1,000 km (620 miles).

Lu Tianjun, GM of China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co, said electric vehicles equipped with the new batteries can exceed 1,000 km (620 miles) range on a single charge and are expected to go into mass production by the end of 2026.

“Conservatively, its performance would mean an improvement of about 50 percent compared with current technologies,” Lu said.

Source: China Daily

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Avatar for Peter Johnson Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising