China’s CATL, the world’s largest battery supplier by cell capacity generated, is pushing for higher energy densities to make electric passenger aircraft possible.
The company on Wednesday unveiled a “condenser battery” with a claimed energy density of 500 watt-hours per kilogram that is about to enter mass production. That energy density—much greater than current EV batteries—allows enough range without making the battery pack too large and heavy for aviation use.
To achieve this, CATL has taken all the stops of technology, using “ultra-high energy density cathode materials, innovative anode materials, separators and manufacturing processes”. according to the company’s press release. The tradeoff can increase costs, as that is not covered in the release.
CATL launches battery for electric aircraft
CATL says it is “working with partners on the development of electric passenger aircraft” while adhering to aviation-grade safety and quality standards. According to the company, an automotive version of this battery technology is also planned at some point.
Aviation is a significant source of carbon emissions, but reducing those emissions is not as straightforward as with ground-based vehicles. Even much smaller electric aircraft, for commercial flights, is still a work in progress partly due to the limitations of current battery technology. Airbus is also optimistic about the possibility hydrogen fuel cell technology to replace fossil fuel jet engines.
Electric Cessna Caravan (Photo by MagniX)
Super energy efficient batteries are not the only new technology that CATL is pursuing. Earlier this week, the company announced production of the first sodium-ion battery to power electric vehicles from the Chinese brand Chery. CATL unveils its sodium battery in 2021, claims capacity for a Charge 80% in 15 minutes.
CATL also emphasized Cell transplantation technology as a vehicle it can provide some of the highest power densities in production electric vehicles. The first production vehicle to use this technology is the Zeekr 009 electric truck, which is expected to begin deliveries in China later this year.
The company this week also announced plans to make its batteries carbon-neutral by 2035—far ahead of LG’s 2050 goal.
