CATL has introduced a new generation of lithium-metal batteries capable of doubling the service life of batteries for electric vehicles. The development is based on a review of the electrolyte formula and a detailed analysis of its degradation mechanisms. During the tests, the prototype withstood 483 full charge cycles, which already shows significant progress compared to previous technologies.
The main technical achievement is an energy density of over 500 Wh/kg, which significantly exceeds the performance of similar solutions currently being developed by competitors, in particular Stellantis and Factorial, whose batteries reach only 375 Wh/kg.
One of the main obstacles to the widespread use of lithium-metal cells has always been their limited durability. CATL's research has shown that the main cause of degradation is the breakdown of LiFSI salt, which loses up to 71% of its initial amount at the time of breakdown.
It is at this stage that engineers are focused on finding a chemical solution: a new electrolyte formula with a low-molecular diluent has been proposed, which increases the salt concentration without increasing the total mass of the electrolyte. The result is improved ionic conductivity, reduced viscosity and more stable cell life.
CATL emphasizes that this approach represents a paradigm shift in the creation of batteries that are not only powerful, but also wear-resistant. The new generation of batteries opens up prospects not only for long-range electric vehicles, but also for aviation solutions, where energy density is crucial. At the same time, the company has not yet specified the timing of the launch of the new technology into mass production.