CATL Develops Game-Changing EV Battery for Long-Distance Travel

June 26, 2023: CATL has made a groundbreaking announcement regarding their upcoming electric vehicle (EV) battery, which can potentially revolutionize the industry.

The new battery, known as the “semi-solid state battery,” boasts an impressive energy density of up to 500 watt-hours per kilogram. This is twice the energy density of current leading batteries available in the market. This battery could enable EVs to travel significantly longer distances without requiring frequent charging if successfully produced.

Notably, CATL claims that the semi-solid state battery has the necessary energy density and safety features for aircraft use. The company is collaborating with partners to develop an electric passenger aircraft. This innovation holds immense promise for the planet as air travel contributes approximately 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

While the exact technology behind CATL’s battery remains undisclosed, the term “semi-solid state” suggests using a solid electrolyte material alongside the liquid or gel electrolytes typically found in lithium-ion batteries. Additionally, CATL refers to its battery as a “condensed matter battery,” although the exact meaning of this term remains uncertain, even to experts in the field.

An Inside Climate News correspondent contacted a battery scientist, who said, “I have no idea what that is.” The scientist further explained that companies often employ branding tactics, sometimes without scientific significance, and this practice is not uncommon.

Regardless of the specifics, if CATL’s battery lives up to its claims, it could pave the way for EVs with impressive driving ranges and even power electric passenger airplanes. This development is undoubtedly worth closely monitoring as it has the potential to reshape the future of transportation.