China's CATL Reveals 621-Mile EV Battery, Under-7-Minute Charging

Source: Slashdot

Overview

CATL unveiled a new wave of EV battery technology, including a lighter battery pack rated for a 1,000 km (621‑mile) driving range and an upgraded fast‑charging battery that can go from 10 % to 98 % in under seven minutes, as reported by Interesting Engineering. The launches were made during a 90‑minute event in Beijing ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, where automakers are expected to showcase next‑generation EVs and connected technologies.

Qilin Battery

The Qilin battery is a high‑energy‑density pack often paired with nickel‑manganese‑cobalt (NMC) cells for long range and improved space efficiency. It can deliver a 1,000 km (621‑mile) driving range while reducing battery pack weight. The product is aimed at automakers facing tighter efficiency rules in China and other markets.

Shenxing Battery

CATL also rolled out an upgraded Shenxing battery—its fast‑charging lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) pack—targeting one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: charging time. The pack can recharge from 10 % to 98 % in less than seven minutes. This marks a significant improvement over the previous version, which charged from 5 % to 80 % in 15 minutes, according to the Financial Times.

Future Plans

The company announced plans to begin mass delivery of sodium‑ion batteries in the fourth quarter. Sodium‑ion technology is seen as a lower‑cost alternative that could reduce dependence on lithium, cobalt, and nickel.