Long lfespan: CATL’s 5C battery designed to cover millions of kilometres
In a two-and-a-half-minute video titled ‘5C Charging: 1,000,000 KM Made Easy’, CATL explores the cycle stability of its new 5C batteries. The company states that these batteries are designed to retain at least 80% of their capacity even after 1.8 million kilometres, primarily under fast-charging conditions. These figures are based on 3,000 charge-discharge cycles at around 20 degrees Celsius. In warmer conditions, such as the ‘Dubai’ temperatures of 60 degrees Celsius cited by CATL, the manufacturer claims that 1,400 charge-discharge cycles and 840,000 kilometres are still achievable without dropping below an 80% State of Health (SoH).The battery manufacturer emphasises that its new 5C batteries are built to outlast the vehicles in which they are installed. These improvements were achieved through “aa denser, more uniform cathode coating,” which reduces material degradation. Additionally, an “additive” in the liquid electrolyte helps seal cracks and minimise lithium loss. A third innovation involves “special temperature-reactive substances” sprayed onto the surface of the separator in each battery cell, which are also said to extend the battery’s lifespan. The battery management system has also been optimised, as highlighted in the video, enabling it to direct coolant to specific areas of the battery pack when overheating occurs.What CATL has not yet revealed is when these enhanced batteries will enter production or which vehicle models will feature them. However, the ‘C’ in the battery designation indicates the ratio of battery size to charging power. For example, an 80 kWh battery at 1C can be charged at a maximum of 80 kW, theoretically allowing a full charge in one hour. At 5C, the same battery could theoretically be fully charged in 12 minutes with five times the charging power—up to 400 kW. This is merely an example, as the energy capacity of the new CATL battery has not yet been disclosed. Nevertheless, the 5C rating ensures that it can be recharged in twelve minutes, classifying the 5C battery as an ultra-fast-chargeable energy storage system.As a reminder: CATL began developing ultra-fast charging technology in 2020 and launched the first generation of its 4C Qilin battery in 2023. The new 5C battery, set for imminent introduction, builds on this expertise. Meanwhile, CATL’s developers are already pushing boundaries: at its recent Super Tech Day, the world’s leading battery manufacturer unveiled three new electric vehicle battery products, including the second generation of the Shenxing battery, which is expected to offer a 12C charging rate. However, CATL has not yet disclosed the lifespan of this battery.youtube.com via insideevs.com, carnewschina.com
