CATL’s new battery could give hybrids more range than some cars

New Freevoy super hybrid battery expected to give plug-in hybrids 249 miles of all-electric range

Plug-in hybrids are often promoted as a stepping stone to electric vehicles because they typically only offer about 30 to 40 miles of all-electric driving range. That’s enough for short commutes, but not much else. Beyond that, they rely on conventional engines and leave a lot to be desired for those looking for true electric freedom.

However, it’s time to rethink plug-in hybrids, as CATL launches its new Freevoy super hybrid battery, which promises to give PHEVs a range of more than 249 miles (400 kilometers). That may be an optimistic CLTC number, but the range is in line with EPA estimates for the Audi e-tron GT and better than some versions of the Audi Q4 e-tron and BMW i4. It also beats the EPA figures of the Fiat 500e and variants of the Ford Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning.

More: CATL’s new lithium iron phosphate battery can last 373 miles on a 10-minute charge

In addition to significantly increasing the range, CATL said the battery also supports 4C ultra-fast charging. This means a 10-minute quick stop can provide more than 174 miles (280 kilometers) of range, “eliminating range anxiety for EREV and PHEV owners.”

The magic behind Freevoy lies in advanced materials and cutting-edge chemistry. According to CATL, the battery design uses “surface modification technology of the cathode material, coupled with an innovative high-voltage electrolyte formula to form a nano-protective layer. This effectively reduces side reactions within the active layer.”

As CATL explains, adding “highly active, excited-state particles” to the cathode material can significantly improve the transport efficiency of lithium ions within the material. With the support of the SOC full-scenario high-precision model developed by CATL, as well as the upgrade of BMS intelligent algorithms and hardware, Freevoy’s SOC control accuracy has increased by 40%, and the overall pure electric utilization rate has increased by more than 10%, achieving a range of more than 249 miles (400 kilometers). ) of pure electric cruising range. “

The company goes on to say that Freevoy combines their sodium-ion battery technology with a multi-gradient layered electrode design. Of course, what really matters is the eye-popping range, and CATL effectively says that every improvement helps add a few more miles, adding up to create a giant leap over traditional plug-in hybrid batteries.

Looking ahead, 30 hybrid models equipped with Freevoy batteries will be launched next year. Brands such as Chery, GAC, Geely and VOYAH will be the first to adopt the technology, laying the foundation for a new era of hybrid vehicles that may actually make pure electric vehicles seem less urgent.