by New CATL batteries: A revolution in charging speed and range
Electric vehicles have many advantages: they are quiet, fast, offer convenient layout, and simpler maintenance compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. However, the “refueling” process remains a major issue. The charging station infrastructure significantly lags behind the gas station network, and the charging process itself can take a long time. CATL claims to have found a solution that allows charging a battery from 10% to 98% in just 6.5 minutes.
More details: This new battery could outlast you, let alone your car
Ultra-fast charging Shenxing 3
According to The Wall Street Journal, the new Shenxing 3 battery achieves this rate in approximately 6.5 minutes, surpassing BYD’s recent record of nine minutes for charging from 10% to 97% or seven minutes from 10% to 70%. Analysts at Bernstein noted that the new battery “effectively bridges the gap with ICE vehicles.”
CATL claims the new pack can charge at a rate of 10C and can reach a charge level from 10% to 80% in just 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Even more impressive, the company guarantees charging from 20% to 98% in about nine minutes even at a temperature of -30 degrees Celsius.
Most importantly, such high-speed modes do not compromise battery longevity. According to CATL, the Shenxing 3 retains over 90% of its capacity after 1000 full charge cycles.
New Qilin 3: Lightness and record range
CATL has also introduced the new Qilin 3 battery, which, they say, can provide up to 1000 km of range while weighing only 625 kg. This makes it significantly lighter than analogs, which, according to the company, improves efficiency, acceleration, braking, and handling. And that’s not all.
Qilin Condensed: 1500 km for a sedan
The new Qilin Condensed battery can provide up to 1500 km of range in a sedan or over 1000 km in a full-size SUV. Obviously, such a range would be a huge advantage for the electric vehicle industry, as it would reduce “range anxiety” and the need for additional charging infrastructure.
Production prospects
CATL states that the Shenxing 3 and Qilin 3 batteries are intended for production vehicles, not distant concepts. The first applications are likely to appear within the next year. The more ambitious Qilin Condensed battery appears to be at a more distant stage, while the company’s sodium-ion battery will enter mass production by the end of 2026.
These achievements by CATL could fundamentally change the perception of electric vehicles. If the claimed characteristics are confirmed in practice, charging time will cease to be a limiting factor, and the enormous range will make long-distance trips hassle-free. The emphasis on maintaining capacity after thousands of cycles is particularly important, as it addresses one of the main concerns about battery longevity. At the same time, it is worth noting that such technologies will require an appropriate charging infrastructure capable of delivering the power needed for 10-minute charging. The development of a network of ultra-fast charging stations will be the next logical step for fully realizing the potential of these batteries.
