China’s CATL, the world’s leading electric vehicle battery manufacturer, has unveiled its groundbreaking second-generation Shenxing Superfast Charging Battery on April 22, 2025, at Shanghai Tech Day. The new battery achieves an unprecedented 323 miles (520 kilometres) of range with just five minutes of charging, surpassing BYD’s recent 400-kilometre fast-charging milestone.

Revolutionary Charging Technology

The Shenxing 2.0 battery utilises a 12C charging rate, setting a new global standard for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells. With 1.3 megawatts of charging power, the technology enables drivers to replenish their vehicle’s range in approximately the same time needed to refuel a conventional gasoline car.

Technical Specifications and Performance

The battery boasts impressive durability with over 10,000 charge cycles while maintaining stable capacity, significantly outperforming Tesla’s LFP batteries that typically achieve 3,000-4,000 cycles. However, the system requires megawatt-scale charging stations, which currently have limited availability worldwide.

Competition in Fast-Charging Innovation

CATL’s announcement comes amid intensifying competition with BYD, which recently deployed 500 megawatt charging stations. While BYD’s system provides 400 kilometres of range per charge, CATL’s superior energy density and extended range establish it as a frontrunner in fast-charging technology.

Advanced Battery Technologies

Alongside the Shenxing 2.0, CATL introduced Naxtra, its first mass-produced sodium-ion battery. This technology offers enhanced safety features, reduced costs, and superior performance in extreme temperatures. The company’s Freevoy Dual-Power battery system combines fast-charging capabilities with an auxiliary unit to achieve an impressive 1,500 km range on a single charge.

Infrastructure Challenges

The widespread adoption of this technology faces infrastructure limitations, as most current fast chargers operate at maximum 350 kW capacity. CATL has partnered with Star Charge and Shudao New Energy to develop the Shenxing Superfast Charging Network, addressing this challenge through strategic infrastructure expansion.

Market Impact and Future Development

With a 38% global market share, CATL’s innovations directly address key barriers to EV adoption, particularly charging time and battery longevity. The company plans to introduce the Shenxing PLUS variant, promising 600 km range in 10 minutes, while expanding its presence in European and North American markets through enhanced charging ecosystems.

News Source: CNBC