CALB unveils battery with 25-year lifecycle

Giant Chinese battery cell producer CALB has unveiled a new battery with an impressive estimated lifecycle at RE+ 2023, the energy solution exhibition in Las Vegas. Named 314Ah, referencing its capacity, the new cell can withstand 15 000 full charge cycles. According to CALB, it’s the equivalent of 25 years.

Moreover, the Chinese battery expert ensures zero degradation during the first 1 000 charge cycles. The new battery is designed to be scalable and used in different applications, with up to 6,58 MWh of capacity.

15 000 charge cycles

To any new technology development, there’s opposition. For electric cars, the naysayers lash about battery life nearly as much as range. However, while we know that battery degradation is, unfortunately, part of the technology, some batteries seem to lose capacity slower than others. There are a few Tesla taxis at Oslo, for example, and Schiphol airports that have more than 500 000 km on the clock.

Giant Chinese battery cell producer CALB has developed a solution. Presented at the RE+ 2023, the energy solution exhibition in Las Vegas, the 314Ah battery includes a “groundbreaking lithium replenishment technology” that offers up to 15 000 full charge cycles. According to the group, that’s equivalent to 25 years of usage.

Scalable to 6.58 MWh or 425 kWh

CALB, number three in worldwide battery production behind CATL and BYD, has presented two versions of its new long-life battery. One is air-cooled, the other liquid-cooled. The scalable battery could find its way into future cars, buses, trucks, or even boats, with a maximum capacity that is estimated at 6,58 MWh. However, that’s for power plants. CALB also plans for a smaller battery pack of up to 425 kWh.

No degradation

With years of development, CALB has worked on battery degradation. For context, current Tesla batteries experience a 12% capacity drop after around 320 000 km or 800 charge cycles. CALB’s 314Ah battery shows no energy depletion for the first 1 000 charge cycles. However, this Chinese battery group isn’t alone, as competitor CATL is working on an 18-year-warranty Sodium battery.

CALB already produces batteries for the Nio ES6, Smart #3, and XPeng G9, to name but a few. In addition, the company is applying the finishing touch to its manufacturing facility in Portugal. Therefore, we could potentially see this new groundbreaking 25-year-lifespan battery in other European electric cars.