The race to dominate the electric vehicle “charge wars” has entered a new phase, with China’s CATL claiming it can now deliver 322 miles of range in just five minutes.
The upgraded version of its Shenxing battery cell, unveiled ahead of the Shanghai auto show, ups the ante on rival BYD Co, which made headlines last month with a similar fast-charging leap.
CATL, the world’s largest EV battery maker, says the new cell also offers a 500-mile range on a full charge and hits peak speeds of 1.5 miles per second.
Chief technology officer Gao Huan said the battery will be installed in over 67 EV models this year.
He also introduced CATL’s new sodium-ion brand, Naxtra – a cheaper, safer alternative to lithium-based cells.
Gao said sodium-ion could help the industry shift from “single resource dependence” to “energy freedom”, as battery makers look to reduce reliance on critical minerals.