Image Courtesy: Sunwoda

Chinese battery manufacturer Sunwoda has unveiled a new electric vehicle battery that it says can add around 62 miles (100 kilometers) of driving range in just one minute. The company claims the 15C lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery can charge from 10 percent to 97 percent in nine minutes at room temperature.

The technology was presented at a battery industry conference in Zaozhuang, Shandong, with charging speed at the center of the company’s latest development. Sunwoda says the battery can reach 70 percent charge in approximately five minutes before adding another 27 percentage points over the following four minutes.

One of the major challenges with ultrafast charging is heat. Pushing large amounts of electrical energy into a battery within minutes can significantly increase temperatures, creating additional demands on the cells and thermal management systems. Sunwoda says its battery can achieve the claimed charging performance at room temperature without requiring unusually high battery temperatures.

The company also claims the battery maintains strong charging performance in extremely cold conditions. At -4 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees Celsius), Sunwoda says it can add approximately 435 miles (700 kilometers) of range in 15 minutes while charging from 10 percent to 97 percent.

Battery longevity is another consideration with high-power charging. Sunwoda says the new batteries are covered by a warranty lasting 10 years or 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers). The company also claims there is no restriction on the number of ultrafast charging cycles during the warranty period.

Sunwoda already supplies batteries to automakers including Geely, Dongfeng and GAC. If the new technology reaches production vehicles, its charging capabilities could eventually become available across multiple EV platforms, provided those vehicles are equipped with compatible charging systems.

The company is also developing charging infrastructure around the technology. Its newly introduced open charging system combines solar generation, battery energy storage and ultra-fast charging equipment. Energy can be stored and then supplied to EVs through high-power chargers, potentially reducing the impact of large charging loads on local electricity networks.

The claimed charging rates could significantly reduce the time EV drivers spend at charging stations, but the technology’s real-world impact will depend on production deployment, compatible vehicles and chargers capable of delivering the required power.