China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) has unveiled its third-generation cell-to-pack (CTP) Qilin EV battery.
According to the company, the Qilin battery features a volume utilization efficiency of 72%, the highest of any battery in the world.
The Qilin battery also claims an energy density of up to 255 Wh/kg, which CATL says enables it to deliver a range of over 1,000km (621 miles) on a full charge.
CATL also says the battery is safer and has 50% greater thermal efficiency and provides 13% more power than Tesla’s 4680 battery.
The Qilin EV battery also offers impressive fast charging capability, able to go from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes.
“By placing liquid cooling functional parts between adjacent cells, the trailblazing large-surface cell cooling technology increases the heat transfer area by four times, cuts thermal control time in half, and supports a hot start in 5 minutes and fast charging in 10 minutes.”
CATL will start mass production of the Qilin battery in 2023, but did not reveal if any automakers have placed orders for it.
The company is one of Tesla’s main battery suppliers, and is also a supplier for BMW, Ford, and Volkswagen. CATL is looking to expand their presence by building a facility in the US. They have reportedly been considering sites in South Carolina and Kentucky.
CATL will supply BMW with cylindrical battery cells beginning in 2025
