StoreDot, an EV battery company that specializes in XFC (Extreme Fast Charging) technology has now shipped a set of sample “100in5” batteries to its EV making partner companies for real-world testing.
The company has partnered with EV OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) including Daimler, VinFast, Volvo, Polestar, and Ola Electric. These companies are also strategic investors in the Israeli startup company.Ā
The cells that Storedot has shipped to its OEM partners are 30Ah pouch cells, and use the company’s silicon-dominant lithium-ion chemistry that it says is “groundbreaking” in its ability to charge 100 miles (160km) in just five minutes.
The company plans to start mass production of the cells, which it says can cycle 1,000 times, during 2024. And it’s not stopping there, with plans to continue its battery chemistry innovation to achieve 100 miles charging in three minutes by 2028, and two-minute charges by 2030.
How does the charging speed of these prototype cells compare to the rapid EV charging times that we have currently seen and could these cell help with EV adoption in the future?
160km of range in a five-minute charge
StoreDot has sent their new batteries in samples to OEM for real-world testing with charging speeds that could add 100 miles or 161 km of range in 5 minutes. They have also stated that these batteries are able to charge from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes.
StoreDot says that the cells comprise of innovative silicon-dominant lithium-ion cell technology that enables these speeds and is the key to mass EV adoption.Ā
Itās taken the company 10 years of research to achieve this level of innovation in XFC battery technology which has energy densities of over 300Wh/kg.Ā
As a comparison, Teslaās new 4680 form factor cells used in Model Ys from GigaTexas are estimated to have an energy density of 272Wh/kg. Tesla is already using them in some Model Ys being shipped to customers in the US.Ā
I recently wrote an article on 480kW fast charging that Xpeng in China recently showcased in one of their upcoming EVs so how do StoreDot XFC technology compare to that?
Xpeng 480kW fast charging comparison
Xpeng recently announced their 480kW fast charging system. It is capable of adding over 200 km of range in 5 minutes which they showcased onstage last month in the upcoming Xpeng G9 SUV.
At the moment, the 480kW charging is only offered in Xpengās home market at a handful of charging locations but is expected to be expanded as Xpeng looks at international markets like Europe and beyond.
Thatās also in line with the trend we are seeing on increasing charging speeds from EV leaders like Tesla who will be offering at their new V4 Superchargers over the coming months.
Fast charging future is exciting
As many Australian EV owners know today, charging faster can be one of the keys to the mass adoption of EVs.Ā
Thatās not the whole story though as EVs with super fast charging batteries exist today like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. They can charge from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes at the ultra-rapid 350kW chargers (the actual top charge rate is around 230-240kW.)
In Australia however, charger reliability, limited locations and affordable EV batteries (and hence higher purchase costs of EVs) are bigger factors in hindering EV adoption.Ā
Charging technologies from StoreDot, Xpeng and others will continue to evolve which is great for the future of EVs. It reminds me a bit of Formula 1 and its influence on the automotive industry for decades. Technologies created for F1 racing have slowly trickled down into the cars we drive today.Ā
The same will be the case for companies like StoreDot and others innovating in the battery technology space. Itās all looking like quite an exciting few years ahead for EV battery technologies and EV adoption as a whole.
RizĀ is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.