China’s CATL asserts it has surpassed BYD’s electric vehicle battery record, offering extended range with just a 5-minute charge.
A CATL sign stands outside its research and development hub and the Chinese battery maker’s headquarters in Ningde, Fujian province, China, on November 8, 2024. Kevin Krolicki | Reuters
China’s CATL, the world’s largest supplier of EV batteries, announced a set of new incoming products Monday, including a battery it claims has set a “new global record for superfast charging technology.” In a post on WeChat, the company — Contemporary Amperex Technology Company Ltd. — stated that its second-generation Shenxing battery could add 520 km (323 miles) of driving range from just five minutes of charging time—only slightly longer than it takes to refuel gas cars.
This development appears to put CATL’s fast charging ahead of that of Chinese EV giant and Tesla rival BYD, which last month made waves in the industry with a charging system it claimed could add about 400 km in range to its batteries, also in about 5 minutes. Some analysts expressed skepticism about BYD’s claims, citing potential technical hurdles and high costs. However, if proven feasible on a larger scale, this technology could help the EV industry address consumer concerns regarding electric vehicle range and convenience.
CATL’s latest assertions would also position its cutting-edge charging speeds comfortably ahead of those of Western competitors. Tesla’s latest superchargers can add up to 270 kilometers of range in 15 minutes, while Mercedes-Benz Group recently stated that one of its batteries can recharge up to 325 kilometers within 10 minutes.
The new Shenxing product is also the world’s first lithium iron phosphate battery with both an 800 km range and a 12C peak charging rate, according to CATL. They added that the battery outperforms the industry’s highest current charging level in low-temperature environments of -10°C.
On Monday, CATL also unveiled new batteries within its “Naxtra” series, which it described as “the world’s first mass-produced sodium-ion battery,” aimed at reducing the EV industry’s reliance on lithium. The company mentioned that sodium-ion batteries could help decrease maintenance costs and are capable of performing in extreme temperatures of -40°C to +70°C.
One of the Naxtra batteries was specifically designed for heavy-duty trucks, with the company noting it offers over eight years of service life while providing reduced lifecycle costs and higher efficiency compared to traditional lead-acid batteries. Shenzhen-listed shares of CATL were trading up about 1% on Tuesday.
