Date: 2024-12-13 hits: 129
Recently, new news has emerged regarding CATLs' large cylindrical batteries and condensed matter batteries.
In terms of large cylindrical batteries, at the recent 2024 BMW China Sustainable Development Supplier Day, CATL announced that it will gradually supply cylindrical batteries for BMW's "new generation" pure electric models globally and in China starting from 2026.
In terms of condensed matter batteries, it is reported that CATL's first generation 350Wh/kg condensed matter battery is expected to be applied to unmanned aerial vehicles on a large scale by 2025. The second generation 450Wh/kg product is currently in the A-sample stage and is expected to be mass-produced by 2027.
Among the numerous reserve technologies in lithium batteries, the industry generally believes that the highly anticipated all solid state battery technology will achieve a breakthrough by 2027. CATL also stated that it plans to achieve a 7-8 point rating for its all solid state batteries by 2027.
Before further breakthroughs in all solid state battery technology, CATL's large pillar batteries and condensed matter batteries have already had a pace of large-scale market application, which is in line with them.
The new generation BMW cylinder is right in front of us.
According to BMW's previous official disclosure, the diameter of the new generation large cylindrical battery cells is standard 46 millimeters, and there are two height specifications, 95 millimeters (suitable for sedans) and 120 millimeters (suitable for SUVs).
Compared to the previous generation of square cells, the energy density of the new generation of large cylindrical batteries has increased by over 20%. In terms of material system, the nickel content in the positive electrode material is higher, the cobalt content decreases, and the silicon content in the negative electrode increases.
The new generation of Da Yuan Gui battery system will support both 400V and 800V voltage platforms. Models using the new generation of large cylindrical batteries are expected to increase their range by 30%, while charging speed will also be improved, reducing charging time by 30% from 10% to 80%.
In September and October 2022, BMW successively established partnerships with CATL, EVE Energy, and Yuanjing Power to supply large cylindrical batteries, and selected three of them as suppliers for BMW's new generation large cylindrical batteries. So far, BMW has confirmed that the first new generation model will be produced in Shenyang in 2026, which will be tailored to the specific needs of mainland Chinese consumers.
Starting from 2026, CATL will gradually supply pillar batteries for BMW's "new generation" pure electric vehicle models globally and in China; The cylindrical battery project supported by BMW in Shenyang has been successfully capped and is expected to be completed and put into trial production in March 2025; The zero carbon battery factory in South Carolina, USA, which specializes in supplying BMW with Far East Power, is also proceeding according to plan with a planned production capacity of 30GWh and is expected to start production in 2027.
Condensed state batteries continue to iterate.
The condensed matter battery, unveiled at the Shanghai International Auto Show in April 2023, attracted attention by being mounted on electric aircraft with a high energy density of up to 500Wh/kg.
The latest news reveals that the energy density of CATL's first generation condensed matter battery has reached 350WhKg, and it is expected to be widely applied in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles by 2025, while its application in the automotive industry is still in the experimental stage. The energy density of the second-generation condensed matter battery is expected to be further increased to 450Wh/kg, currently in the A-sample stage, and is expected to achieve mass production by 2027.
CATL has made it clear that condensed matter batteries are not transitional products, but will exist in parallel with all solid state batteries, with energy density requirements of around 350-450Wh/kg.
In terms of cost, although the initial cost is relatively high, the cost gap will gradually narrow with the large-scale promotion. Application scenarios include small drones, small ships, robots, and high-end power batteries.
In terms of material system, condensed matter batteries adopt new materials such as high nickel positive electrode, oxide coating, polymer electrolyte, and silicon negative electrode.
It is worth mentioning that both BMW's new generation large cylindrical batteries and condensed matter batteries are increasing the mixing ratio of silicon in the negative electrode, and the addition ratio of silicon negative electrode in condensed matter batteries will be as high as 20%.
As large cylindrical and condensed state batteries enter the market and scale up, the next generation of new lithium battery materials represented by silicon anodes are expected to usher in greater opportunities.
