CATL's 'Shenxing' superfast charging LFP battery promises 700km EV range

Chinese battery giant CATL has recently introduced 'Shenxing', claimed as the world's first 4C superfast charging LFP battery, capable of delivering 400 km of driving range with a 10-minute charge as well as a range of over 700 km on a single full charge.

The manufacturer claims that with its continued innovation in material and electrochemistry and system structure in an all-round way, the new Shenxing battery pushes beyond the boundaries of the performance of LFP chemistry, with superfast charging and high energy density and level of safety. 

"The future of the EV battery technology must remain steadfastly anchored at the global technology frontier as well as the economic benefits," said Dr. Wu Kai, Chief Scientist of CATL, speaking at the launch event. "As EV consumers shift from pioneering users to ordinary users, we should make advanced technology accessible for all and enable everyone to savor the fruits of innovation."

CATL also claims to have achieved the ability to rapidly transfer technology from lab to market, enabling rapid mass production of the Shenxing battery. 

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According to Gao Huan, CTO of CATL's China E-car Business, mass production of new battery will be achieved by the end of this year, and electric vehicles equipped with Shenxing will be available in the Chinese market in the first quarter of next year.

In terms of technological innovation, the Shenxing battery leverages the super electronic network cathode technology and fully nano-crystallized LFP cathode material, which facilitates the extraction of lithium ions and the rapid response to charging signals. 

The battery also uses second-generation fast ion ring technology to modify the properties of graphite surface, which increases intercalation channels and shortens the intercalation distance for lithium ions, creating an expressway for current conduction. 

Furthermore, a multi-gradient layered electrode design has been developed to strike a perfect balance between fast charging and long range. CATL has also improved the ultra-thin SEI film to reduce resistance of lithium-ion movement. In terms of separator, the transmission resistance of lithium ions has been lowered with high porosity and shortened average transmission distance.

As a result, the Shenxing can charge to 80 percent SOC in 10 minutes. Meanwhile, CATL leverages cell temperature control technology on system platforms to ensure that cells heat up to the optimal operating temperature range rapidly, allowing a 0-80 percent charge in just 30 minutes in temperature as low as -10°C, and uncompromised 0-100 kph acceleration performance at low temperatures.

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For enhanced safety, the upgraded electrolyte and the separator with safe coating are used to provide a dual protection. By regulating the global temperature field inside the cells using intelligent algorithms, CATL has built a real-time fault testing system that can solve the problems brought about by fast refueling, enabling a high level of safety for the Shenxing battery.