A new EV battery developed by a Chinese tech startup claims to solve one of the biggest challenges for electric vehicles: cold weather performance. Typically, low temperatures reduce the capacity and efficiency of lithium-ion batteries, resulting in lower range and slower charging.
But the Phoenix cell, created by Greater Bay Technology, uses thermal management and superconducting materials to heat up quickly — from ‑20C to 25C in just 5 minutes. This allows the battery to charge at normal speeds “in all weather conditions”, according to the company.
The Phoenix cell also boasts a high energy density, offering up to 1000 km (621 miles) of range on a single charge. That’s comparable to the best EVs currently available. The battery is expected to debut in vehicles from Aion, a popular Chinese EV brand, as early as next year.
Greater Bay Technology says the Phoenix battery can deliver fast charging and consistent range in any climate, from extreme heat to extreme cold. This is a major advantage over conventional EV batteries, which suffer from significant range loss in cold weather.
The startup’s chairman, Huang Xiangdong, said “Once EVs can be driven and maintained like gasoline cars, then there’s a greater chance for mass adoption.” The key is to overcome issues like limited range and slow charging times — two things the Phoenix cell aims to address.
The Phoenix cell could be a game-changer for EVs, enabling long range driving in any season — even in the coldest regions. The technology could make electric vehicles more convenient and practical for the mass market.
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