CATL launched Freevoy Super Hybrid Battery, the world’s first hybrid vehicle battery to achieve a pure electric range of over 400 km (248.5 miles) and 4C superfast charging, signifying a new era for high-capacity EREV and PHEV batteries.
With EREVs (extended range electric vehicles) and PHEVs (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) gaining prominence in the new energy vehicle market, consumers have increasingly expressed frustration over their unsatisfactory pure electric experiences with such vehicles. Short range, slow charging, and reduced low-temperature performance have emerged as critical challenges demanding immediate solutions.
Designed for hybrid vehicles of EREVs and PHEVs, CATL’s Freevoy frees drivers from the constant need to charge, a common drawback of existing hybrid vehicles, offering the convenience of one charge to power an entire week’s commute. Additionally, it delivers impressive charging speeds, providing over 280 km of range on 10 minutes of charging, effectively dispelling range anxiety for EREV and PHEV owners.
Behind the remarkable range and ultra-fast charging are continuous technological breakthroughs. Gao Huan, CTO of CATL’s China E-car Business, gave an in-depth presentation on the innovative features of the Freevoy during the launch event.
The Freevoy incorporates a surface modification technology for the cathode material, coupled with an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formulation, to create a nano protective layer. This effectively minimizes side reactions within the active layer. The integration of high-activity, excited-state particles into the cathode material significantly enhances transport efficiency of lithium ions within the material.
Supported by the SOC full-scene high-precision model developed by CATL, and the upgrade of BMS intelligent algorithm and hardware, the SOC control accuracy of Freevoy has been increased by 40%, and the overall pure electric utilization rate has increased by more than 10%, achieving a pure electric range of more than 400km.
At the same time, CATL conducted model data analysis on the charge-discharge polarization characteristics of the battery, accurately predicted the future discharge capacity of the battery, and created a multi-level power prediction and control strategy for the battery, which improved the power performance of the hybrid vehicles by 20%.
Furthermore, CATL has successfully applied its 4C ultra-fast charging technology in the Freevoy, achieving over 280 kilometers of range on 10 minutes of charging. Lithium ion transport is made effortless through the application of cathode fast ion conductor coating technology, second-generation fast-charging graphite and novel nano-coating technologies for the anode, multi-gradient layered electrode design, and a brand-new ultra-high conductivity electrolyte formulation, allowing hybrids to deliver the ultimate charging experience equal to pure electric vehicles.
CATL’s sodium-ion battery technology is also implemented in the Freevoy, breaking the low-temperature limitations of new energy vehicles. It achieves discharge capability in extreme cold environments down to -40 degrees Celsius, charging capability down to -30 degrees Celsius, and maintains a seamless driving experience down to -20 degrees Celsius comparable to normal temperatures.
Filed Under: Batteries, Technology News