Electric vehicles that use SK On batteries (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – In a race against time, the battery sector is making strides towards developing technology that could dramatically speed up the charging process for electric vehicle (EV) batteries.
The current benchmark to charge an EV battery to 80% capacity takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, but the goal now is to bring that down to around 10 minutes.
At the recent InterBattery 2024 exhibition, a plethora of technologies and products aimed at boosting battery charging speeds were showcased, drawing significant attention.
SK On took center stage at the event, heavily promoting its advancements in fast-charging technology under the banner ‘Speed On.’
The company featured its Advanced SF (Super Fast) battery, which, while maintaining the fast-charging time of its predecessors introduced in 2021, boasts a 9% increase in energy density.
SK On reveals EV9 by Kia, powered by SK On’s Advanced SF Battery (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
This upgrade enables the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 minutes, extending the driving range to an impressive 501 kilometers on a single charge.
An EV9 SUV from Kia, equipped with this advanced battery, was displayed, capturing the interest of attendees and highlighting the practical application of the technology.
Further pushing the envelope, SK On unveiled its SF+ battery, which shortens the charging time even further to 15 minutes by optimizing the lithium-ion movement.
The company also announced ambitious plans to develop a high-nickel NCM (nickel-cobalt-manganese) battery that could provide a 300-kilometer range with just a 5-minute charge, aiming for completion by 2030.
During The Battery Conference held concurrently with InterBattery, SK On researcher Lee Jon-ha discussed the necessity for expanding rapid charging infrastructure and the costs associated with enhancing charging performance.
He suggested that a 5-minute charge yielding a 300-kilometer range would likely be satisfactory for most users.
Samsung SDI made headlines at the event by announcing the development of ultra-fast charging technology capable of charging a battery from 8% to 80% in just 9 minutes.
This breakthrough, achieved by optimizing the lithium-ion pathway and reducing resistance, is expected to be ready for mass production by 2026.
Samsung SDI’s EV Battery Pack concept model (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
According to Samsung SDI, this battery could provide a range of about 600 kilometers with a 9-minute charge, and approximately 300 kilometers with just a 5-minute charge, comparable to traditional fueling times for internal combustion engines.
Samsung SDI Vice President Ko Ju-young highlighted the company’s strategy to develop battery technology that could match the refueling time of gasoline vehicles, emphasizing the convenience for EV users, most of whom cover around 100 kilometers daily.
He believes that producing a battery that can offer a 600-kilometer range with a 9-minute charge and a 300-kilometer range with a 5-minute charge would satisfy the majority of consumers.
LG Energy Solution took a different approach, focusing on improving battery performance without sacrificing energy density, rather than solely reducing charging time.
The company had previously set an industry first in 2019 by mass-producing batteries with silicon anodes, capable of charging over 80% in just 20 minutes.
Silicon anodes can significantly increase energy density by 4 to 10 times compared to traditional graphite anodes and drastically reduce charging times.
LG Energy Solution’s Chief Technology Officer, Kim Je-young, emphasized the importance of balancing rapid charging capabilities with energy density to truly advance the technology.
Kim added that for mainstream battery technology, a charging time of 20 to 30 minutes to reach 80% capacity, combined with a driving range of 500 to 600 kilometers, would offer competitive pricing and safety reliability, setting a standard for the industry’s future.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
