EV battery goes 1 million miles

  EV battery goes 1 million miles and can handle temperature between -22°F to 149°F

China’s Farasis Energy unveiled a new electric vehicle (EV) battery with exceptional range, climate temperature tolerances, and charge cycle lifespan. The new battery can operate normally between -22 °F (-30°C) and 149 °F (65°C) and can continue to operate at 70% state-of-health (SOH) even after thousands of charge cycles. Farasis Energy showcased the new battery at this year’s ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference held in Thailand between 18 to 19 June. The new battery shows great promise for new energy passenger and commercial vehicles and new applications such as two- or three-wheelers, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL), etc. 

According to Farasis Energy’s Jack Peng (who showcased the new battery tech), it boasts high performance, top-notch safety standards, robust temperature adaptability and exceptionally long cycle life advantages. Peng explained that the battery was developed for the high temperatures in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and surrounding nations. These batteries can function normally in temperatures ranging from -22 °F (-30°C) and 149 °F (65°C). In a 25°C environment, a single battery cell can undergo 2500 cycles with an SOH greater than 70%. In a 45°C environment, a single battery cell can undergo 1500 cycles with a SOH greater than 70%. They are resistant to high-temperature environments, can discharge at high rates without any issues, and the temperature of a single battery cell only increases by about 41 °F (5°C). If claims about the battery are true, this could be a game-changer for the EV market in the future.

The ASEAN Automotive Supply Chain Conference focuses on regional integration within the automotive industry. It highlights trends, innovations, and challenges while bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders. The conference aims to facilitate discussions on supply chain optimization, technological advancements, and collaborative strategies to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in the ASEAN automotive sector. What is more, the latest semi-solid-state battery technology can significantly improve material-level stability, leading to an incredibly long battery life. Tests carried out at Farasis Energy’s laboratory have shown that these batteries can endure over 5000 cycles with a state of health (SOH) of 70%.

Farasis Energy has been a significant player in battery technology for 27 years. The company’s automotive business has succeeded in domestic and international markets. Considered a global leader in new energy innovative technologies, Farasis Energy introduced the world’s first sodium-ion power battery for electric vehicle (EV) customers. It achieved end-customer delivery for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. In the electric two-wheeler market, Farasis Energy is the first power battery enterprise in China. It holds the largest market share in the global high-performance lithium battery market for electric motorcycles.

This resulted in a total driving distance of more than 1 million miles (1.6 million km's), Peng explained. This technology has the potential for wide application in various vehicles like passenger cars, commercial vehicles, eVTOL, buses, coaches and other fields, significantly enhancing battery durability, improving operational efficiency and reducing user costs. Although EVs make up just 2% of new US car sales today, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler-parent company Stellantis claimed that they aim to increase EV sales by the end of the decade. But analysts are skeptical and this will not be achieved unless policy makers and car companies can figure out how to make selling electric cars a profitable venture. That's because right now, electric vehicles cost more to make than gas-powered vehicles. Some experts say EVs could become cheaper to make than gas cars as soon as 2027, but switching away from gas requires an entirely new supply chain, costly battery packs made of precious metals like cobalt, lithium, and nickel, along with accompanying infrastructure, all of which will take time to scale. 

Several automakers have made ambitious commitments in recent months to shift their product lines away from gas engines, with plans to introduce dozens of electric car models in the coming years. GM said earlier this year that it wouldn't sell any gas-powered vehicles after 2035. Ford plans to invest more than $30 billion in electric vehicles by 2025, and has started to electrify some of its biggest nameplates, including its best-selling F-150 pickup. Stellantis said last month it will invest $35.5 billion in EVs in the same timeframe. Only recently has Tesla made money off electric vehicles. The company, which has accounted for about 74% of electric vehicle sales in the US over the past three years, turned its first full-year profit in 2020. Its profitability has, in part, been driven by zero-emission vehicle credits, which are likely to disappear as other automakers go electric. The plans are still ramping up, and most automakers still haven't turned a profit on their EVs. But the real power lies with the people. Until that happens, a lot stands in the way of profiting off EVs.