Major battery supplier CATL has launched a new battery it says is energy-dense enough to work for use in passenger aircraft.
The battery, set to go into mass production later this year, has an energy density of 500Wh/kg.
CATL will be one of the first companies to mass produce a battery with an energy density of 500Wh/kg or more. A US-based company, Argonne announced its new battery technology will feature 1200Wh/kg but is not ready for mass production.
For reference Tesla’s new 4680 cell batteries have an energy density rating of 272-296Wh/kg, which is considered very high.
“CATL is cooperating with partners in the development of electric passenger aircrafts and practicing aviation-level standards and testing in accordance with aviation-grade safety and quality requirements,” said the brand.
The company is referring to it as its “condensed battery”, and says it has technology that can improve the performance of cells and offer excellent charge and discharge performance.
Its lightweight profile and new battery technology will open up a “new wave of electrification possibilities which centre around a high level of safety,” says the company.
CATL has confirmed that an automotive version of the battery technology is currently under development and will begin production later this year.
It appears CATL may have plans to tackle more than just the aviation and automotive industries with the company saying “the launch of condensed batteries will usher in an era of universal electrification of sea, land and air transportation.”
The Chinese battery manufacturer is responsible for supplying batteries to automakers like Tesla and Geely.
Recently CATL announced it’s working with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Chery to launch its first sodium-ion battery which will feature in the carmaker’s future line-up.
MORE: Chery taps Tesla supplier for sodium-ion battery tech
MORE: Geely brand debuting next-gen CATL batteries
MORE: Mercedes-Benz pairs with CATL for 700km batteries
