Revolutionary Super Battery: CATL's Shenxing vs Tesla's 4680

The Rise of Super Batteries in Electric Vehicles

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is witnessing a revolutionary breakthrough in battery technology. CATL, the world's leading battery manufacturer and supplier for BMW, Mercedes, and Tesla, has unveiled an innovative super battery called Shenxing. This groundbreaking technology promises to recharge 80% of its capacity in just 10 minutes, potentially transforming the EV charging experience to rival the speed of refueling traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

CATL's Shenxing: A Game-Changing LFP Battery

What makes the Shenxing battery so remarkable is not a new battery chemistry, but rather a unique improvement to the well-known and proven lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology. This advancement aligns with the projected trend of LFP batteries dominating the market, with estimates suggesting they will claim over 60% market share by 2024.

Key Features of Shenxing

1. Energy Density: The Shenxing battery boasts a targeted energy density of 450 Wh/kg, significantly outperforming average LFP batteries that typically achieve 260-270 Wh/kg.

2. Fast Charging: As the world's first LFP battery with 4C charging capabilities, Shenxing can theoretically be charged at a speed four times its capacity. For a 100 kWh Shenxing battery, this translates to a potential 400 kW charging rate.

3. Range and Charging Time: The Shenxing Plus model can achieve a 600 km (370 mi) range with just 10 minutes of charging, even in extreme temperatures as low as -20°C (-4°F).

4. Low-Temperature Performance: At -1°C, the Shenxing battery requires only 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 80%, matching the charging speed of Tesla's Supercharger under normal conditions.

5. Longevity: While specific cycle life data for Shenxing is not provided, typical LFP batteries from CATL can endure up to 11,000 cycles before noticeable degradation.

Tesla's 4680 Battery: The Competitor

Tesla's latest achievement in battery technology comes in the form of the 4680 batteries, introduced in 2022 for the base version of the Model Y. However, this option was soon removed due to underwhelming performance.

Key Features of Tesla's 4680 Battery

1. Energy Density: The first generation of 4680 batteries offered an energy density of 232-303 Wh/kg, which is lower than Shenxing's targeted 450 Wh/kg.

2. Chemistry: Unlike Shenxing's LFP chemistry, the 4680 battery relies on NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) chemistry. Tesla is transitioning from NMC 811 (80% nickel, 10% manganese, 10% cobalt) to NMC 955 (90% nickel, 5% manganese, 5% cobalt).

3. Charging Speed: The 4680 batteries take approximately 40 minutes to charge from 20% to 80% when connected to a Supercharger.

4. Range Improvement: The modifications to the 4680 battery are expected to increase the range by 10-20%. For example, an all-wheel-drive Cybertruck with an original range of 340 miles could potentially exceed 374 miles with the improved 4680 battery.

5. Longevity: The 4680 NMC batteries demonstrate a lifespan of 1,500 to 2,000 cycles, potentially degrading to 80% of their initial capacity after about 10 years or 300,000 to 500,000 miles.

Comparing Shenxing and 4680: A Deep Dive

Energy Density

The energy density of a battery is a crucial factor in determining an EV's range and overall performance. Shenxing's targeted energy density of 450 Wh/kg represents a significant leap forward compared to both traditional LFP batteries and Tesla's 4680 cells.

CATL has achieved this remarkable energy density through several key innovations:

1. Super Electronic Network Cathode Technology: This technology creates a super electronic network that facilitates the rapid extraction of lithium ions and quick response to charging signals.

2. Fully Nanocrystallized LFP Cathode Material: This enhancement contributes to the overall improvement in energy density and charging speed.

3. Second Generation Fast Ion Ring Technology: Applied to the anode, this technology modifies graphite surface properties, reducing the intercalation distance for lithium ions and creating an "expressway" for current conduction.

4. Multi-Gradient Layered Electrode Design: This design strikes a balance between fast charging capabilities and extended range.

5. Superconductive Electrolyte Formula: CATL has optimized the electrolyte conductivity, reducing its viscosity and enhancing the desolvation ability of lithium ions.

In contrast, Tesla's 4680 battery relies on NMC chemistry, which typically offers higher energy density than LFP batteries. However, the first generation of 4680 cells fell short of expectations with an energy density of 232-303 Wh/kg. Tesla is working to improve this through several methods:

1. Increasing Nickel Content: By transitioning from NMC 811 to NMC 955, Tesla aims to boost energy density while reducing costs and mitigating supply chain risks associated with cobalt.

2. Asymmetric Lamination: This technique allows Tesla to maximize the amount of active material (the "jelly roll") that can fit into the 4680 cell format.

3. Dry Electrode Coating: This innovative manufacturing process promises to increase energy density while reducing production costs and environmental impact.

While these improvements are significant, it appears that Shenxing still holds the edge in terms of energy density, at least based on the currently available information.

Charging Speed

Charging speed is another critical factor for EV adoption, as it directly impacts the convenience and practicality of electric vehicles for long-distance travel.

Shenxing's 4C charging capability is truly impressive, allowing for theoretical charging speeds of up to four times the battery's capacity. This means a 100 kWh Shenxing battery could potentially be charged at 400 kW, enabling a full battery charge in just 15 minutes under ideal conditions.

In real-world terms, CATL claims that Shenxing can add up to 400 km (about 250 miles) of range in only 10 minutes of charging. Even more impressively, this performance is maintained in low temperatures, with the battery requiring only 30 minutes to charge from 0 to 80% at temperatures as low as -1°C.

Tesla's 4680 batteries, while still fast-charging, don't quite match these speeds. They typically take about 40 minutes to charge from 20% to 80% when connected to a Supercharger. The Cybertruck, which uses 4680 cells, benefits from a peak charge rate of 250 kW, but this rate declines over time during the charging session.

It's worth noting that while Shenxing excels in ultra-fast charging, other technologies like Hyundai's E-GMP batteries can achieve even faster times, specifically 10-80% state of charge in 18 minutes.

Battery Longevity

Battery longevity is a crucial factor in the total cost of ownership and environmental impact of electric vehicles.

While specific cycle life data for Shenxing is not provided, typical LFP batteries from CATL have demonstrated impressive longevity. CATL's 2.0 LFP cells can reportedly endure up to 11,000 cycles before showing noticeable degradation. This translates to a potential lifespan of over 2 million miles for a vehicle equipped with a Shenxing battery.

In contrast, Tesla's 4680 NMC batteries are expected to have a lifespan of 1,500 to 2,000 cycles. This means they may degrade to 80% of their initial capacity after about 10 years or 300,000 to 500,000 miles of use.

The superior longevity of LFP chemistry is one of its key advantages over NMC batteries. LFP batteries can be safely charged to 100% capacity without accelerating degradation, thanks to the robust nature of the LFP cathode. The phosphorus-oxygen bond in LFP batteries hinders the release of oxygen and requires more energy and a higher onset temperature for thermal runaway, enhancing stability when stored at full charge.

Cost Considerations

While specific pricing for Shenxing batteries has not been disclosed, we can make some comparisons based on average LFP battery prices in China.

Currently, LFP batteries cost about $70 per kilowatt-hour, which is approximately 30% less than NMC batteries. This $70/kWh price point is also a milestone that Elon Musk has stated as a goal for Tesla's battery production.

However, achieving this target has proven challenging for Tesla due to production difficulties associated with the 4680 battery. Tesla has had to import materials from second-tier Chinese suppliers, particularly cathode coils, which account for about 35% of the overall cell cost.

The lower cost of LFP batteries, combined with their longer lifespan and ability to be safely charged to 100%, could give Shenxing a significant advantage in terms of total cost of ownership for electric vehicles.

Implications for the EV Industry

The development of Shenxing and the ongoing improvements to the 4680 battery represent significant advancements in battery technology that could have far-reaching implications for the EV industry:

1. Faster Adoption of EVs: With charging times approaching those of refueling ICE vehicles, one of the major barriers to EV adoption could be eliminated.

2. Extended Range: Higher energy density batteries will allow for longer-range EVs without increasing vehicle weight or size.

3. Lower Costs: As battery technology improves and production scales up, the cost of EVs is likely to decrease, making them more accessible to a broader range of consumers.

4. Improved Sustainability: Longer-lasting batteries mean fewer replacements over the life of a vehicle, reducing the environmental impact of battery production and disposal.

5. New Vehicle Designs: As battery technology evolves, it may enable new and innovative vehicle designs that were previously impractical due to battery limitations.

6. Grid Storage Applications: While designed for EVs, these advanced batteries could also have applications in grid energy storage, potentially accelerating the transition to renewable energy.

7. Competitive Landscape: The rapid pace of battery innovation may reshape the competitive landscape of the EV industry, with battery technology becoming an increasingly important differentiator among manufacturers.

Conclusion

The unveiling of CATL's Shenxing battery and the ongoing development of Tesla's 4680 cells represent significant milestones in the evolution of electric vehicle technology. Both innovations promise to address key challenges in EV adoption, namely charging speed, range, and cost.

Shenxing appears to have an edge in several key areas, including energy density, charging speed, and potentially longevity and cost. Its ability to add 400 km of range in just 10 minutes of charging, even in low temperatures, is particularly impressive and could be a game-changer for the EV industry.

However, Tesla's 4680 battery, while currently lagging in some aspects, represents a significant improvement over previous generations and continues to evolve. Tesla's vertical integration and manufacturing innovations may allow it to close the gap or even surpass Shenxing in some areas in the future.

Ultimately, this competition in battery technology is beneficial for consumers and the environment. As these and other advanced batteries make their way into production vehicles, we can expect to see electric cars with longer ranges, faster charging times, lower costs, and improved overall performance.

The race to develop the next generation of EV batteries is far from over, and we can expect to see continued innovation and improvement in this critical technology. As battery performance continues to improve, the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is likely to accelerate, bringing us closer to a more sustainable transportation future.

As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, it will be fascinating to see which vehicles will be the first to incorporate these cutting-edge batteries and how they will perform in real-world conditions. The EV landscape is evolving rapidly, and these battery advancements are set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZHP8rHQYzA&ab_channel=ADAMTECH