CATL's New Battery Shatters Charging Records, Outpacing BYD's Recent Breakthrough

The electric vehicle landscape is rapidly evolving, with charging speeds becoming a critical factor in consumer adoption. Just weeks after BYD announced a groundbreaking nine-minute charging capability, CATL has unveiled its Shenxing 3 battery, which promises an even faster charge, bringing EVs closer than ever to the convenience of gasoline-powered vehicles.

Key Takeaways

• CATL's new Shenxing 3 battery can charge from 10% to 98% in just 6.5 minutes.
• This new technology significantly surpasses BYD's recently announced nine-minute charging record.
• CATL is also introducing the Qilin 3 battery, offering up to 621 miles of range and improved vehicle dynamics.

A New Charging Benchmark

CATL's latest innovation, the Shenxing 3 battery, has set a new industry standard for charging speed. According to reports, this new battery can achieve a 10% to 98% charge in a mere 6.5 minutes. This leap forward eclipses the nine-minute charging capability that BYD showcased just last month, which allowed for a 10% to 97% charge. Analysts suggest this advancement effectively bridges the gap between electric vehicles and their internal combustion engine counterparts in terms of refueling time.

Unprecedented Charging Performance

The Shenxing 3 battery boasts an impressive 10C charging rate, enabling it to go from 10% to 80% charge in an astonishing 3 minutes and 44 seconds. Even in frigid conditions, with temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit (-30 Celsius), the battery can still achieve a 20% to 98% charge in approximately nine minutes. Crucially, CATL claims these rapid charging speeds do not compromise long-term battery health, with the Shenxing 3 retaining over 90% of its capacity after 1,000 full charging cycles.

Enhanced Range and Efficiency with Qilin 3

Alongside the Shenxing 3, CATL also introduced the Qilin 3 battery. This new pack is designed to deliver an impressive range of up to 621 miles (1,000 km) while weighing only 1,378 pounds (625 kg). This significant weight reduction compared to similar battery packs is expected to enhance vehicle efficiency, acceleration, braking, and overall handling. Furthermore, CATL is developing a Qilin Condensed battery variant that could offer an extraordinary range of up to 932 miles (1,500 km) in sedans or over 621 miles (1,000 km) in SUVs, potentially eliminating range anxiety for EV users.

Future Production and Sodium-Ion Technology

CATL intends for both the Shenxing 3 and Qilin 3 batteries to be integrated into production vehicles in the near future, with initial applications anticipated within the next year. The more advanced Qilin Condensed battery appears to be further down the development pipeline. Additionally, CATL is progressing with its sodium-ion battery technology, which is slated for mass production by the end of 2026, offering another avenue for EV advancement.