On August 16, Chinese battery technology and critical minerals major CATL launched Shenxing, 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. Shenxing it says “is expected to considerably alleviate fast charging anxiety for EV users, and opens up an era of EV superfast charging.”

The company stated in full: “With the advancement of battery technology and the significant improvement of overall performance of EV batteries, the industry has achieved long driving range for EVs. Currently fast charging anxiety has become the top factor that stops consumers from shifting to EVs. Focusing on the very nature of electrochemistry, CATL continues its innovation in material and electrochemistry and system structure in an all-round way, achieving superfast charging, high energy density and high level of safety at the same time in a creative manner. Shenxing pushes beyond the boundaries of the performance of LFP chemistry, leading innovation in the battery industry.”

While clearly aimed for now at the automotive industry, it also has great significance for mining fleets as well. CATL says Shenxing “leverages the super electronic network cathode technology and fully nano-crystallised LFP cathode material to create a super-electronic network, which facilitates the extraction of lithium ions and the rapid response to charging signals.”

For graphite innovation, CATL’s latest second-generation fast ion ring technology is used 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 says it has also developed a brand-new superconducting electrolyte formula, which effectively reduces the viscosity of the electrolyte, resulting in improved conductivity. In addition, CATL has improved the ultra-thin SEI film to reduce resistance of lithium-ion movement. CATL also lowered the transmission resistance of lithium ions with high porosity and shortened average transmission distance.

In addition to achieving 4C superfast charging, CATL says Shenxing also achieves a long driving range, fast charging over a wide range of temperatures and a high level of safety through structure innovation and leveraging intelligent algorithms. “CATL has developed a trailblazing all-in-one grouping technology on top of the integration of the internal crossbeam and end plates featured in its CTP 3.0 technology, achieving high integration and high grouping efficiency. It enables Shenxing to reach a range of over 700 km, breaking the limits of the performance of LFP chemistry.”

At room temperature, Shenxing can charge to 80% 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% charge in just 30 minutes in temperature as low as -10°C, and uncompromised 0-100 km/h acceleration performance at low temperatures.

The upgraded electrolyte and the separator with a highly safe coating are used to provide a dual protection of the Shenxing battery. 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 charging, enabling a high level of safety for the Shenxing battery.

“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.”

Thanks to its strengths in extreme manufacturing, CATL says it has achieved the ability to rapidly transfer technology from lab to market, enabling rapid mass production of the Shenxing battery. According to Gao Huan, CTO of CATL’s China E-car Business, mass production of Shenxing will be achieved by the end of 2023, and electric vehicles equipped with Shenxing will be available on the market in the first quarter of 2024.

It concludes: “The launch of Shenxing marks another milestone in the development of EV battery technology, and will accelerate the comprehensive e-mobility transition worldwide. In the future, adhering to the philosophy of making technology accessible for everyone, CATL will continue to promote the wide adoption of advanced technologies, making outstanding contributions to global energy transition.”