Chinese car manufacturer Dongfeng has announced that it has developed a battery with a solid electrolyte with an energy density of 350 Wh per kilogram, which represents a significant technological breakthrough for electric vehicles. According to new reports, the company has already formed a test fleet of electric cars equipped with these batteries, which is currently being tested in extreme winter conditions in northern China, in the Mohe region, near the Russian border.
The tests are carried out as part of an intensive winter calibration program, with the aim of checking the behavior of the battery at sub-zero temperatures. The focus is on the stability, durability and safety of the system, but also on the realistic range of the vehicle and charging speed in cold conditions.
Battery with solid electrolyte and real tests in extreme conditions
Dongfeng states that this battery could provide a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers on a single charge. It is particularly significant that, according to the manufacturer’s claims, the battery retains about 72% of its capacity even at temperatures of minus 30 degrees Celsius, which is one of the biggest obstacles for the wider use of electric vehicles in colder regions.
The company plans to start installing this battery in mass-produced electric vehicles as early as September, but mass availability on the market will still require additional time. Dongfeng is not the only manufacturer working on this technology, as similar solutions are being developed by: Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota and Hyundai.
The development of solid electrolyte batteries is considered key to reducing the cost of electric vehicles, increasing safety and extending the range. From an environmental point of view, electric vehicles do not produce harmful gases while driving, are significantly quieter than vehicles with internal combustion engines and have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution in urban areas.
If the Dongfeng technology proves to be reliable and in real use, batteries with a solid electrolyte could become one of the key milestones in the further development of electric cars, reports TCD.