Batteries that can charge quickly while also being small, light, and long-lasting would be a step forward. The trade-off between high capacity and fast charging comes down to the way charged molecules called ions move around in batteries. As a battery charges, an electric current pushes lithium ions from one side of the cell to the other.
The U.S. Advanced Battery Consortium defines fast charging for electric vehicles as reaching 80 % battery capacity in 15 min [14, 15]. LIBs operate on a mechanism often likened to a “rocking chair”. Fig. 2 provides a theoretical illustration of the charging process.
More and more researchers are exploring fast charging strategies for LIBs to reduce charging time, increase battery longevity, and improve overall performance, driven by the growing popularity of EVs. Nevertheless, fast charging poses challenges such as energy wastage, temperature rise, and reduced battery lifespan.
However, battery scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) might have a solution for charging speeds. ORNL’s paper highlights a new lithium-ion battery that can not only recharge to 80 percent in 10 minutes but also sustain the fast charging ability for 1500 cycles.
It discusses various fast charging techniques, including inductive charging, ultra-fast charging (UFC), DC fast charging (DCFC), Tesla Superchargers, bidirectional charging integration, and battery swapping, analysing their advantages and limitations.
In response to a written question from MIT Technology Review about the lifetime of the new fast-charging batteries, CATL said: “Be it fast charging or not, the warranty on our products remain the same.” (The current warranty lasts for eight years or 800,000 kilometers, according to the website.)