LEC Team, Author at Learn Electric Cars

2025 Kia EV6 Gets A Bigger Battery And More Range

The wildly successful Kia EV6 has been updated for the model year 2025 with aesthetic, as well as performance enhancements. The 2025 Kia EV6 has been updated in the domestic market with a bigger battery pack and improved range. As is the case with every mid-life facelift, there are visual enhancements to set it slightly apart from the current model. Additionally, there are some new features on offer to make the already compelling EV even more enticing. Note that the current update is applicable to the Korean and Australian models. But the EV6 will get refreshed in other parts of the world, most likely, by the end of this year. You might also like: Kia EV9 GT Will Boast 0-62 mph Time of 4 Secs, Debut in January 2025 2025 Kia EV6 Gets Bigger Battery and More Range The 2025 Kia EV6 now gets an 84 kWh battery pack, replacing the familiar 77.4 kWh unit found in other EVs under the Hyundai Motor Group umbrella. While the EPA or WLTP range figures elude us at the moment, the 2025 Kia EV6 now offers a range of 494 km (307 mi.) up from 475 km (295 mi.) on the Korean test cycle. For the record, the Korean test cycle is more stringent than the WLTP cycle. Charging this new battery will continue to cost 18 minutes for 10% to 80% using a 350 kW DC ultra-fast charger. Furthermore, the EV6’s frequency-selective dampers now offer better ride comfort after improvement. The motors are now quieter and the body is stronger for more safety. I don’t expect any changes to the specifications. The RWD version will continue to offer 225 hp (168 kW) and 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), while the AWD variant will offer 320 hp (239 kW) and 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) of maximum power and torque, respectively. Specs 2025 Kia EV6 Battery 84 kWh Drivetrain RWD / AWD Range (Korean Cycle) 494 km (307 mi.) Power (RWD / AWD) 225 hp (168 kW) / 320 hp (239 kW) Torque 350 Nm (258 lb-ft) / 605 Nm (446 lb-ft) 350 kW DC Fast Charging 18 minutes (10% to 80%) Specs Interior and Features The cabin of the 2025 Kia EV6 also bears some improvements over the outgoing model. There is now: 2025 Kia EV6 Price The official launch will take place in Korea next month but the prices are out. The starting price for the Light variant is 55.4 million Korean won (approx. USD 40,500), while the range-topping GT-Line will retail for 63.15 million Korean won (approx. USD 46,100). The variant-wise pricing is as follows: Variant-Wise Price Korean Won USD (approx.) Light 55.4 million $40,500 Air 58.24 million $42,500 Earth 62.52 million $45,700 GT-Line 63.15 million $46,100 Variant-Wise Price You might also like: Kia EV3 Teased Ahead of May 23 World Premiere Learn Electric Cars Says The Kia EV6 is a prominent electric car which has already gained a lot of applause from critics and owners alike. The Hyundai Motor Group is taking giant strides toward accumulating mass customers from all across the globe. In fact, the EV6 and EV9 are doing a great job at the moment. The upcoming EV2, EV3, EV4 and EV5 in the next few months promise to attract mass market. Exciting times lie ahead for EV enthusiasts in general and Kia loyalists in particular.

EV Battery Production in Europe Could Lower Carbon Emissions

EV Batteries Made in Europe To Be 60% Less Carbon Intensive Than Chinese – Study

25 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

This staggering number becomes valid when renewable electricity is used. Even without that, the Europe-made EV batteries will emit 37% less carbon emissions than the Chinese. A detailed study by Transport & Environment (T&E) concludes that Europe-made EV batteries will be significantly more carbon scarce than China-controlled supply chain. That is a bold claim amidst concerns regarding over-dependency on China for the EV supply chain. We know that China controls a vast majority of production of battery components. This also includes manufacturing raw materials and minerals needed to create a Lithium-ion battery. You might also like: U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles Europe-Made EV Batteries 60% Less Carbon-Intensive Than China The study mentions that even using the current European grid, the carbon emissions could be reduced by 37%. This is equivalent to 133 Mt CO2 by 2030 in comparison to China. This number shoots up to 62% if we consider using renewable energy sources. Furthermore, Europe can become self-sufficient in battery cells by 2026, and manufacture most of its demand for key components (cathodes) and materials such as lithium by 2030. Unfortunately, over half of gigafactory plans in Europe are at risk of either facing delays or cancellations. Thankfully, this number was over 66% last year. Hence, progress has been made in this direction. Still, a lot of government intervention is needed. The industrial policy blueprint should include maintaining the investment certainty (via the 2035 clean car goal). With regard to securing gigafactory capacity since last year, France, Germany and Hungary have made the most progress. In France, ACC started production in Pas-de-Calais last year while plants by Verkor in Dunkirk and Northvolt in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, are going ahead thanks to generous government subsidies. Finland, the UK, Norway and Spain have the most production capacity at medium or high risk due to question marks over projects by the Finnish Minerals Group, West Midlands Gigafactory, Freyr and InoBat. This report also mentions that securing other key EV battery components is an even bigger challenge due to China’s influence and the EU’s nascent expertise. Europe could potentially produce 56% of its total cathode demand which is a critical component of a battery by 2030. By the same time, the EU could also fulfil its demand for processed lithium and secure between 8% and 27% of battery minerals from recycling within the region. You might also like: Tesla and BYD Have 34% Share of Global Q1 2024 EV Sales Learn Electric Cars Says With the number of EVs growing across the globe, issues pertaining to sourcing battery components have become crucial. We have seen the U.S. tax credits depending on where an EV is manufactured in addition to where the battery and its components come from. Going forward, more nations strive to establish their own EV battery manufacturing industries. This will reduce dependence on a single country like China. Apart from that, utilizing renewable sources of energy for production is also a key factor toward going carbon neutral in the coming years. The ambitious goals of carbon neutrality need addressal from all directions. We shall be on the watch out for further developments in this case.

Tesla and BYD Have 55% of Global EV Sales for Q1 2024

Tesla and BYD Have 34% Share of Global Q1 2024 EV Sales

26 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The situation is almost similar in terms of global plug-in (BEVs and PHEVs) car sales with these two accounting for over 31%. The global EV sales data for the first quarter of 2024 reveals some intriguing trends. The stats I am about to share with you have been sourced from EV Volumes. It is a reputed organization and is a part of J.D. Power. This portal has gathered data pertaining to the total global sales of pure electric cars, as well as plug-in cars which include BEVs and PHEVs. The two giants, in the form of Tesla and BYD, dominate the sales charts. Interestingly, 5 car marques comprise of over 55% of global EV sales out of the total 2.03 million. You might also like: U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles Global Q1 2024 EV Sales The report mentions that the top five car conglomerates/OEMs for pure EV sales for Q1 2024 are – Tesla, BYD, Geely-Volvo, SAIC (incl. SAIC-GM-Wuling) and Volkswagen Group. Together, they own 55% of total EV sales while the rest of the carmakers own the other 45%. The details of each of these groups/OEMs as per car registration data are as follows: Carmaker Sales Market Share (Q1 2024) Market Share (Q1 2023) Tesla 386,825 19% 23.6% BYD 300,124 14.8% 14.7% Geely-Volvo 149,647 7.4% 5.7% SAIC (incl. SAIC-GM-Wuling) 149,290 7.3% 7.4% Volkswagen Group 136,949 6.7% 7.5% Global Sales Data for EVs in Q1 2024 Hawk-eyed among you would instantly notice that there is a significant decline in Tesla sales this year in comparison to the same time period last year. The number of EV sales for BYD and SAIC has remained roughly the same. Only Geely-Volvo has demonstrated healthy growth while the VW Group has also shown some depleting sales. Global Plug-in (BEVs + PHEVs) Car Sales in 2024 Interestingly, the list of top global plug-in car companies/conglomerates also consists of these 5 players only. However, the order is slightly different when we include plug-in hybrid cars. Still, the total number of plug-in cars sold globally in Q1 2024 is just over 3.21 million. Out of these, the top 5 hold over 51% market share. The breakdown of this data incorporates: Carmaker Sales Market Share (Q1 2024) Market Share (Q1 2023) BYD 624,398 19.4% 21.3% Tesla 386,825 12% 16.5% Geely-Volvo 251,106 7.8% 6.1% Volkswagen Group 205,652 6.4% 7.4% SAIC (incl. SAIC-GM-Wuling) 190,409 5.9% 5.5% Global Sales Data for Plug-in Cars in Q1 2024 This time around, BYD is at the top of the list because it sells tons of PHEVs in the domestic market. On the other hand, Tesla doesn’t sell a single PHEV which is why it slides down to the second spot. Still, it is quite impressive to post such numbers solely from pure EVs. Geely-Volvo maintains its third spot. Volkswagen Group overtakes SAIC this time around to clinch the 4th spot. You might also like: VW CEO Says PHEVs Are Necessary Transitional Technology Learn Electric Cars Says These stats unequivocally show that the initial surge of the electric mobility revolution which was resting on the shoulders of a select few car companies is slowly getting distributed evenly. Sure there is still a long way to go. But the market share of the top 5 players has reduced drastically in Q1 2024 in comparison to the same time period last year. That is also evident when we look at new players and more legacy carmakers emerging on the scene. Still, numerous established names in the automobile world are yet to enter the EV race completely including the likes of Toyota and Honda. Apart from that, many new emerging markets will also participate and contribute to global EV sales going forward. The EV industry is still in its infancy in many emerging global markets. Once they start chipping in with sales, the market share will be distributed much more evenly.

39-km-Old Xiaomi SU7 Breaks Down, Repair Impossible

30 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The incident happened shortly after the owner took the delivery and commenced driving it on the highway. In a rather shocking turn of events, a brand new Xiaomi SU7 breaks down just after 24 miles (39 km) of driving. The Chinese electronics giant took the world by storm when it launched the supercar a couple of months ago at a fraction of Tesla and Porsche cars’ prices. In fact, Xiaomi bagged a whopping 50,000 orders within 27 minutes of the launch for SU7. Consequently, the waiting times for the deliveries are excruciatingly high. However, a lot of owners who have received the electric car are reporting weird issues with the vehicle. This ranges from suspension failures to electronic glitches. In the most recent incident, the vehicle reported a complete malfunction which is beyond repair. Let us delve deep into the details of this case. You might also like: U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles 39-km-Old Xiaomi SU7 Breaks Down According to the detailed report by CarNewsChina, a certain Mr. Wen purchased the EV from Xiaomi Auto Xiamen Xing’an Delivery Center in Fujian Province on May 4. Local Chinese social media was filled with the video of his electric car parked on the side of the road after driving just 39 km. The error on the digital instrument cluster read, “The car is about to stop, please safely pull over and contact the online service center” and “the drive system is faulty and cannot be shifted”. The car couldn’t shift between drive and reverse. After contacting the dealership, the mechanics arrived on the spot but was unable to repair it. Further news reports confirmed that the vehicle had to be sent back to the factory. Mr. Wen asked the dealer for a brand-new car. However, since the already produced SU7s have been allotted to the owners, it would take a long time for the new car to arrive. Therefore, Xiaomi customer service is reportedly negotiating a total refund along with compensation for the expenses he has incurred. Not The First Issue As mentioned previously, this is not the first issue that has cropped up in a Xiaomi SU7. Another recent one highlighted that the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) was non-operational up to 135 km/h. In fact, Xiaomi acknowledged this problem and announced that it will be fixed after an OTA (Over-the-Air) update. Other issues include inconsistencies in the thickness of the paint, a crash due to a faulty traction control system, etc. You might also like: CATL Unveils World’s First LFP Battery With a 1,000-km Range Learn Electric Cars Says To encounter so many incidents in a new car just a few weeks after the launch is not an ideal scenario for any carmaker. Much worse, these issues have emerged on a car which claims to rival the EVs from Tesla and Porsche. Build quality and usage of top-notch materials are at the core of these companies. If Xiaomi’s first car keeps struggling to convince buyers about its reliability, things could get pretty ugly really quickly. The EV industry is anyway going through a slowdown in China and the USA. With more cases of issues with new electric cars, it will be hard to gain the trust of potential buyers going forward. While we await more details of this case, we can only hope that the Chinese electronics giant takes cognizance of these issues and expedites the matter as swiftly as possible.

U.S. Could Ban or Restrict Chinese Connected Vehicles

31 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo says that the Biden government is ready to take “extreme action” if the probe proves a threat to national security. In a rather surprising turn of events, the U.S. government could consider imposing a ban or restricting the sales of Chinese connected vehicles. The statement by the U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo comes with regard to the probe initiated by the Biden government in February which is investigating any risk to the national security by Chinese cars. The details of this case come from a Reuters report. The White House said in February that Chinese vehicles “collect large amounts of sensitive data on their drivers and passengers (and) regularly use their cameras and sensors to record detailed information on U.S. infrastructure”. Back in November last year, a group of U.S. lawmakers had raised concerns about Chinese companies collecting and handling sensitive data while testing autonomous vehicles in the U.S. You might also like: Canada And Australia Join Hands To Tackle China In EV Battery Tech U.S. Could Ban Chinese Connected Vehicles The issue revolves around the high-tech components modern vehicles come with. These include cameras, sensors, radars, LiDARs, connected car features which possess a huge amount of data of the car owners, etc. Highlighting this, Raimondo said at a U.S. House of Representatives that, “Chinese connected vehicles could be collecting massive amounts of data on Americans, who they are, what they say in their car, where they go to, their patterns of driving.” She adds that the U.S. needs “to take the threat much more seriously” of Chinese connected vehicles and other tech issues. Commenting about the possible measures the U.S. government could take, Raimondo said, “We have to digest all the data and then figure out what action that we want to take. We could take extreme action, which is to say no Chinese connected vehicles in the United States or look for mitigation” including safeguards, guardrails or other requirements. Additionally, the Biden government is separately considering imposing new tariffs on Chinese-made vehicles and officials face new pressure to restrict Chinese EV imports from Mexico. Chinese Foreign Ministry Reacts The discussion around banning Chinese EVs in the United States of America has been going on for a few months now. The U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during her 4-day visit to Beijing last month, warned the Chinese car companies not to flood its auto market. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Chinese cars were popular globally not because of “so-called unfair practices” but because they had emerged out of fierce market competition and were technologically innovative. You might also like: Hyundai To Launch New EV Brand In China; Plans 5 EVs In 3 Years Learn Electric Cars Says This is quite a complicated global issue. The U.S. is being blamed by the Chinese authorities for excessively politicizing the entire affair. On one hand, Chinese carmakers are struggling to sell cars in the U.S. On the other hand, the companies are flooding other emerging markets with their cost-effective EVs. Going forward, many emerging markets will play a vital role in this electric mobility transition. One could even argue that the Chinese EVs are simply better than anyone else at the price they command. In any case, we will have to wait for the official findings of the probe. Depending on that, the future course of action will be determined. Therefore, we shall see how things pan out thereafter.

VW CEO Thomas Schäfer Says PHEVs Transitional Technology

VW CEO Says PHEVs Are Necessary Transitional Technology

47 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

It looks like increasingly more carmakers are having to delay their complete electrification plans to incorporate a transitional step in the journey of future mobility. VW CEO, Thomas Schäfer, spoke at the Financial Times Future of the Car conference about PHEVs being the necessary transitional technology to reach the ultimate goal of electric mobility. With this, VW joins the expanding group of legacy car marques who are backtracking on their decision to skip hybrid cars to reach fully electric vehicles. At this conference, Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida and Hyundai President José Muñoz echoed the same strategy. You might also like: CATL Unveils World’s First LFP Battery With a 1,000-km Range PHEVs Are Transitional Technology Volkswagen currently sells hybrid iterations of its popular Golf, Passat and Tiguan cars. Schäfer feels that PHEVs could continue to play a critical role in this transition phase from ICE cars to electric cars for a bit longer than previously anticipated. He also resonates with the latest reports of EV demand “plateauing”. He mentions that when VW was offering the aforementioned models in hybrid avatars, it was frowned upon. But he says, “Now I’m very glad we did. We have an offer and we will probably have to even extend it. It’s a bridge technology. While battery-electric drive is plateauing out a bit at the moment, we still need this transitional technology.” I must mention here that the VW CEO is not backing out of the EV plans as he is “absolutely sure the future is electric”. Furthermore, he confirms that VW will carry on with what it has and will not build a completely new powertrain. Finally, he also elucidates that VW won’t necessarily have a hybrid variant of every model it sells in every part of the world. Instead, the German auto giant will focus on reducing the costs of hybrids while boosting the pure electric range to offer something meaningful to the customers. These two are the top concerns among potential buyers at the moment. Remember, VW hybrid cars are already ahead of most carmakers with a pure electric driving range in the vicinity of 62 miles (100 km). Boosting this range further could be exactly what the buyers are looking for. You might also like: Ford Will Have Hybrids In Every Segment – Ford CEO Jim Farley Learn Electric Cars Says The debate of whether or not hybrids still have a significant future has been brewing for a while now. While many wrote off hybrids as the technology of the past, the recent slowdown in EV sales across major global markets has reignited interest in hybrid cars today. While I am almost fully convinced that the future of mobility is electric, I don’t think that it will arrive as soon as people are anticipating. There are still numerous challenges prevailing around mass EV adoption including range anxiety, charging times, charging infrastructure, material sourcing for batteries, battery recycling, etc. Not to mention, even the governments are slowly reducing incentives to buy electric cars. Hence, it won’t be an easy, brisk or smooth transition. I am of the opinion that hybrid cars are here to stay for the foreseeable future to reduce friction while transitioning from ICE cars to EVs.

Elon Musk Says There’s A Way To Unlock More Range In Tesla Model Y

36 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

The Tesla CEO announced via X that the higher range can be unlocked by paying an amount of $1,500 to $2,000. Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to his other company, X, to announce that Tesla Model Y owners can unlock more range by paying $1,500 to $2,000. However, he also clarifies that it will depend on the battery cells your EV has. This means that this unlocking of more range is not across the board. Furthermore, he states the owners can experience a bump in range in the vicinity of 40 to 60 miles (64 to 96 km). Tesla is working through regulatory approvals to enable this. You might also like: 2 in Top 5 Used EVs Come From Tesla as Used Car Industry Grows More Range in Tesla Model Y This announcement came in response to a tweet by Sawyer Merritt which mentions that Tesla has launched a brand new Long Range RWD Model Y variant in the U.S. It has a price tag of $44,990 which can go as low as $37,490 after the Federal EV credit. It offers a range of 320 miles (515 km). For comparison, the outgoing Model Y RWD had 260 miles (418 km) of range. But it has now been discontinued. It looks like Tesla wants to earn some extra bucks by unlocking extra range in the discontinued EVs. A certain Ethan commented on this announcement by saying, “Why not just give it for free?”. To this, Musk replied, “We have to pay the bills tomorrow”. This is in line with what has been happening at Tesla lately. We know that Elon had to fire the entire Supercharger team to cut costs. Charging $1,500 to $2,000 to unlock a feature which is already there in a car is also a step in that very direction. You might also like: Tesla Cars Cheapest To Maintain, Land Rover Most Expensive Learn Electric Cars Says It fascinates me to see how well-equipped Tesla cars already are. The technology is so advanced that even the owners don’t know what their EVs are capable of. Moreover, we already know that Tesla offers a myriad of hardware components which support autonomous driving (called the Autopilot in Tesla’s parlance) well before the technology is available. Being the visionary that Elon is, he has kept the provision for the future in the current cars. Hence, knowing that the existing batteries can offer a surge in range is not that alien afte all.

Kia EV3 Teased Ahead of May 23 World Premiere

33 Comments / EV News / By LEC Team

Just 6 months after the concept was showcased, Kia announced the World Premiere of the EV3 electric SUV to be held on May 23, 2024. The much anticipated Kia EV3 has officially been teased before the May 23 World Premiere. Those interested could watch the live stream on YouTube at 19:00 KST (10:00 GMT / 12:00 CET). Interestingly, the teasers highlight the production model with many elements straight from the concept. I know people are always excited to see elements from the concept making their way to the production version. The Korean auto giant will ensure that it comes to pass. The launch is slated for later this year. Also, the EV4 sedan could follow in 2025. You might also like: Kia EV9 GT Will Boast 0-62 mph Time of 4 Secs, Debut in January 2025 Kia EV3 Teased Ahead of World Premiere The teaser confirms the continuation of Kia’s globally acclaimed ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy with the EV3 as well. We know that the existing EV6 and EV9 embody this design language already. The EV3 will also bear bold, geometric and robust aspects of this theme. One could evidently experience this in the boxy rear fenders, tailgate, signature Star Map Lighting, etc. The teaser image encapsulates the striking 7-shaped LED DRL which flanks the main headlamp cluster. In fact, it is positioned on the extreme edges of the bonnet. We even get a glimpse of the squared-off wheel arches adorned with black claddings. At the rear, the roof-mounted spoiler is visible. Apart from that, the elements from the C pillars seamlessly merge into the vertical component of the LED taillamp. Look closely and you will even see the glass panel connecting the taillamps. Concluding the inspection, I also like the hint of the roof rails to accentuate its SUV-ish traits. All in all, the inspiration from the larger sibling, the EV9, is apparent. It also means that the upright stance and rugged elements will lend an imposing road presence. I would be prepared to witness an attractive compact SUV that will offer similarities to the EV9 to some extent. Expected Specs Kia has been tight-lipped about the kind of specifications it will offer with the EV3. However, we know that it will use the established and widely successful E-GMP architecture of the Hyundai Motor Group (parent company of Kia). Apart from that, we also anticipate that the EV3 will draw power from either a 58 kWh and/or a 77.4 kWh battery pack. For the price-conscious buyers, there will be a single-motor 2WD variant. However, we might even have a dual-motor AWD trim for those seeking spirited performance. Needless to mention, more details will emerge at the World Premiere. You might also like: Upcoming Affordable Kia Electric EVs – EV2 and EV3 Learn Electric Cars Says Hyundai Motor Group in general and Kia in particular are slowly emerging as the players to beat in the global EV industry. Their products like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Ioniq 5 N, Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and EV9 have already tasted immense success from customers and critics alike. If you think about it, this entire success story of Hyundai and Kia is barely a couple of years old. It is already ahead of most legacy carmakers in EV sales across the globe. Going forward, they are now focusing on low-cost mass-market electric cars. That is where a product like the EV3 comes into the picture. The platform and battery aspects are already sorted, and the Korean giants are now readying an onslaught of new vehicles rapidly. Their product-offensive strategy might just be enough to make them market leaders within a short span of time. We shall keep an eye out for more developments in this space.

Tesla Model 3 and Y as Used Electric Cars

2 in Top 5 Used EVs Come From Tesla as Used Car Industry Grows

26 Comments / Featured / By LEC Team

The used electric car industry is growing strongly as more EVs get old and people have the option of choosing new models. In a recent study, it was found that 2 in every 5 used electric cars belong to Tesla. Now, that shouldn’t be a huge surprise for anyone. Tesla is the largest EV maker in the world. It has been widely regarded as the poster boy for the electric mobility revolution across the globe for almost a decade. As the EV market matures, we are bound to have a surge of EVs in the user car market. The trend of people opting for used electric cars is in an upward momentum. Let us glance at the top 10 used electric cars in the U.S. at the moment. You might also like: StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells Top 10 Used Electric Cars The top 2 spots are reserved by Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, respectively. These are followed by the Nissan Leaf, VW ID.4 and Ford Mustang Mach-E at numbers 3, 4 and 5, respectively. The bottom half of the table is dominated by Audi e-tron, Chevrolet Bolt EUV, Bolt EV, Tesla Model S and Hyundai Ioniq 5, respectively. Hence, in total, there are 3 Tesla cars in the list of top 10 used electric cars on sale in the U.S. at the moment. Fun fact, the Tesla Model X fell out of this list this time around. Moreover, user car giant CarMax reports that searches for EVs on its website grew by 177% between 2021 and 2024. Also, the top vehicles which were traded-in include Ford F-150, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius and Tesla Model 3. EV Average Price Tesla Model 3 $34,045 Tesla Model Y $43,896 Nissan Leaf $18,465 VW ID.4 $31,576 Ford Mustang Mach-E $38,713 Audi e-tron $41,205 Chevrolet Bolt EUV $26,776 Chevrolet Bolt EV $22,564 Tesla Model S $45,574 Hyundai Ioniq 5 $37,036 Top 10 User Electric Cars in the U.S. You might also like: Failure Rate of Modern EV Batteries is 0.1% – Study Learn Electric Cars Says With the expanding EV market across the globe, the used car industry is bound to experience a boost. However, things can get a bit complicated with EVs due to the astronomical expenses attached to battery replacement. I am particularly intrigued to see how will that shape the mindset of potential buyers. We know that battery replacement is the biggest cost associated with the ownership experience of electric cars. Generally, carmakers offer a warranty of around 150,000 – 200,000 km or 8 years (whichever is earlier). Therefore, if EVs are available well before that time period, people would be comfortable spending money. But I don’t see a scenario where anyone would want to risk it near the 8-year mark. Let’s see how things pan out in this regard going forward.

CATL Unveils World’s First LFP Battery With a 1,000-km Range

34 Comments / Battery / By LEC Team

At Auto China 2024, CATL unveiled the Shenxing PLUS battery which offers a range of 1,000 km (621 mi.) and 4C superfast charging capabilities. Chinese battery manufacturer and tech giant CATL has showcased its Shenxing PLUS LFP battery with an unprecedented 1,000 km (621 mi.) range. Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) is the largest EV battery company in the world. It is constantly innovating new tech to improve the range and charging rates of electric car batteries. Its Shenxing battery was launched last year with a charging time of just 10 minutes for 400 km (248 mi.). You might also like: New CATL Batteries To Retain 80% Capacity After 12 Years New CATL Shenxing PLUS LFP Battery w/ 1,000 km Range The Shenxing PLUS is the next-generation model of last year’s battery which is now capable of recovering 600 km (373 mi.) of range in just 10 minutes. This is the result of 4C superfast charging capability. The constant innovation at CATL regarding various aspects of an EV battery is commendable. As a result of this, the Chinese EV battery giant is pushing the boundaries of what Li-ion batteries can achieve on a daily basis. Remember, the figures we are discussing here are according to CLTC parameters. Continuous technological breakthroughs enable the Shenxing PLUS to achieve an impressive 1,000-km pure electric range. These breakthroughs are driven by innovations in both materials and design. Granular gradation technology crafts the cathode, meticulously arranging nanoparticles to achieve an ultra-high compact density. Complementing this, proprietary 3D honeycomb-shaped material integrates into the anode, enhancing energy density while effectively managing volume expansion during charging and discharging. Notably, the single-piece casing, a pioneering feat in the industry, optimizes internal space utilization, pushing Shenxing PLUS cells to an unprecedented level of energy density. At the system level, the Shenxing PLUS battery pack employs a topologically optimized structure built upon module-free CTP 3.0 technology, resulting in a 7% increase in packing efficiency. Through these material and structural breakthroughs, the energy density of the Shenxing battery system shatters the 200 Wh/kg barrier, achieving an impressive 205 Wh/kg. This groundbreaking achievement makes ranges exceeding 1,000 km a tangible reality You might also like: StoreDot and Polestar Achieve 10-Minute Charging w/ Si-Dominant Cells 4C Superfast Charging The 4C superfast charging allows the 600-km range to replenish in a mere 10 minutes. For this, Shenxing PLUS applies technologies including fast lithium-ion conductive coating, the addition of transition metal elements, and new nanometer encapsulation, rendering smoother and more efficient energy transmission between cathode and anode materials. CATL has expanded the overcurrent area and capacity of the terminals in the battery system to rapidly dissipate heat during high-current charging. In terms of BMS core algorithms, CATL’s newly developed AI polarization model can predict and control the charging current in real time, enabling faster and smarter energy replenishment. You might also like: Mazda and Panasonic To Work On Cylindrical Cells For EV Batteries Learn Electric Cars Says CATL already partners with some of the biggest car marques on the planet. These include BMW, Daimler AG, Hyundai, Honda, Li Auto, NIO, PSA, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, Volvo and XPeng. It has been at the top in EV battery space for 7 consecutive years. Clearly, they are investing heavily in battery R&D. With incremental improvements in the already existing battery tech, the company continues to remain ahead of the curve. With so many large carmakers already using CATL batteries, the wide-scale impact of its new solutions can easily get translated into real cars rapidly. These are not one of those solutions which will take years to come to fruition. That is the best part about the new technologies from CATL. As a matter of fact, the Shenxing batteries developed last year are already in use in EVs at the moment. That is a positive sign going forward. We shall have to watch out for which new cars utilize this new LFP battery from CATL.

LEC Team

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