The EV industry’s major battery manufacturer has introduced its long-awaited breakthrough. CATL announced condensed battery with record density for electric planes and performance EVs. It will be the highest energy density battery mass production to begin this year.
During the ongoing Auto Show in Shanghai, CATL unveiled its Condensed Battery breakthrough. It will be the highest energy density battery in mass production with around 500 Wh/kilogram per single cell. Later this year production will begin.
To compare Tesla 4680 batteries in Model Y, boast sub-300 has 300 Wh/kg density. On contrary, with CATL M3P phosphate packs used in the standard range Model Y is rated at 160 Wh/kg.
CATL envisions 2 versions of its Condensed Battery. One version is for electric automotive applications and another for electric planes. There is already a lineup of potential customers for Condensed EV Battery as CATL mentioned mass production this year itself.
CATL said, “The launch of condensed batteries will usher in an era of universal electrification of sea, land and air transportation, open up more possibilities of the development of the industry, and promote the achieving of the global carbon neutrality goals at an earlier date.”
The company used a variety of methods to achieve record energy density. Highly conductive biomimetic condensed state electrolytes are woven into dynamic net architecture.
This is done on a micron level that can adjust the interactive forces among the chains. This enhances lithium-ion passthrough efficiency along with the stability of the structure.
From their ultra-high nickel batteries, the company leverages its experience in cathodes with condensed energy density. Also, new anode materials and separators, along with a thorough production process to achieve 500 Wh/kg cell energy density.
This enables the battery to deliver excellent discharge and charge performance. The company, however, did not neglect safe performance.
The company provides LFP batteries for Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (standard range). CATL’s energy density cells will be manufactured in the United States to enable vehicles to qualify for federal tax credit. At the same time, it will be interesting to see if Tesla is up for getting condensed batteries for its EVs.
CATL is developing an electric plane with its partner companies. For the aviation battery cells of electric planes have to meet aviation level testing and standards. This should be in accordance with aviation grade quality and safety requirements.
Mastering this needs time and condensed batteries for planes, it was believed that they will not enter mass production in 2023. But after CATL announced condensed battery with record density for electric planes and performance EVs companies are looking forward to it.
Source: CATL