As the world continues to look for more sustainable forms of energy, there have been significant advancements in battery technology in recent years. One company at the forefront of this technology is Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), a major supplier of batteries to automakers like Tesla and Geely. CATL has recently launched a new battery that it claims is energy-dense enough to be used in passenger aircraft, and it is set to go into mass production later this year.
What's interesting about this new battery is its energy density of 500Wh/kg, which is significant because CATL will be one of the first companies to mass-produce a battery with this energy density or more. Tesla's new 4680 cell batteries have an energy density rating of 272-296Wh/kg, which is considered very high. The US-based company Argonne has also announced its new battery technology, which will feature 1200Wh/kg, but it is not yet ready for mass production, CarExpert reports.
CATL's new battery technology is referred to as its "condensed battery," and it has technology that can improve the performance of cells and offer excellent charge and discharge performance. The battery's lightweight profile and new technology will open up a "new wave of electrification possibilities, which center around a high level of safety," says the company.
One of the most exciting parts of this development is that an automotive version of the battery technology is currently under development and will begin production later this year. This is great news for the automotive industry as it will allow for greater energy storage in electric vehicles, potentially leading to longer ranges and better performance.
CATL is also working with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery to launch its first sodium-ion battery, which will feature in the carmaker's future lineup. This shows that CATL is not only focused on the aviation and automotive industries but also on expanding its reach to other areas. The company says that "the launch of condensed batteries will usher in an era of universal electrification of sea, land, and air transportation."
Based on what I have read about CATL's new battery I can say that this new battery technology is a significant step forward in the electrification of transportation. CATL's condensed battery has the potential to revolutionize the aviation and automotive industries, and it will be exciting to see how this technology develops in the coming years. In my opinion, by the end of this year or early in 2024 we should see new Tesla vehicles with much longer ranges.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
