New-gen electric car batteries promise 1500km range, 515km charge in five minutes

Revolutionary cheaper, rapid charging battery tech with up to 1500km range has been revealed by CATL, the world’s largest producer of lithium batteries and supplier to brands including Tesla, Polestar and Mercedes-Benz.

The new second-generation Shenxing batteries were unveiled at the official CATL Tech Day 2025 in Shanghai, China, with a game-changing rapid charging rate of 520km in five minutes, or 2.6km/second.

BYD’s latest tech was already twice as fast as the most rapid Tesla recharging rate, making CATL’s advances twice as fast again.

Both CATL and BYD’s latest advances make recharging a battery-electric vehicle take around the same time – or less – than filling a petrol- or diesel-powered car’s fuel tank.

They both bring major advances in eliminating ‘range anxiety’ for battery-electric vehicles.

CATL also claimed the new-gen batteries can take a 5-80 per cent recharge in 15 minutes in temperatures as low as -10°C. Colder conditions typically slow charging speeds and reduce range for electric vehicle battery packs.

There was no confirmation which vehicles – and from which brands – would use the new batteries first, with the new tech announced along with several other innovations at the CATL event.

The company estimates 2027-28 for its dual-battery tech offering up to 1500km range for production vehicles from a single charge – besting the 1000-1200km promise of solid-state batteries in development by brands including Honda, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz yet to be seen in showrooms.

The dual-battery – or auxiliary battery tech – uses two different batteries and won’t recharge as quickly as the standard Shenxing tech but are still capable of 30-80 per cent charges in 30 minutes.

The second battery isn’t designed to be used as often and won’t use graphite construction bringing a significant cost-saving.

Its secondary back-up role means it can be placed in a location within the vehicle separate to the main battery.

A third innovation may further reduce costs, with CATL confirming it will begin manufacturing sodium batteries – instead of lithium – under the 'Naxtra' brand for FAW (First Auto Works) freight trucks from December 2025.

FAW operates in cold climates in the north of China near Russia’s Siberia as well as Mongolia.

While offering greater cold/hot weather resilience, maintaining as much as 90 per cent charge, sodium batteries can also withstand damage making them safer in an accident.

They may also be a cost-effective replacement for lead-acid batteries used in internal combustion-powered cars and lithium-batteries in hybrid vehicles.

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