Will new batteries give China’s EVs the jolt they need to charge past their rivals?
On a cloudy evening in late April, a tech event hosted at Beijing’s National Convention Centre by Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) drew nearly 1,000 people eager for a glimpse of next-generation electric vehicle (EV) batteries that could reshape the global automotive landscape. Gao Huan, chief technology officer for the auto business at CATL, the world’s largest producer of EV…
On a recent tech conference in Beijing, Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd, the world's largest EV battery producer, unveiled their next-generation Shenxing battery series. The new technology boasts an unprecedented ability to charge from 10 to 98% in under six and a half minutes, compared to BYD's seven-minute charging time. This breakthrough is critical for addressing range and charging concerns among electric vehicle owners.
CATL's CTO, Gao Huan, explained that their fast-charging capability is safe due to their unique cell design. Each cell is independently sealed with dedicated exhaust channels, preventing heat from spreading and causing damage. This system ensures the battery pack remains efficient and reliable, even with accelerated charging.
The Shanghai-based company currently leads the global EV battery market with a 40.2% share, controlling 469.2 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in the first five months of 2026. EV battery production costs have been declining rapidly over the past decade, with prices dropping from $1,474 per kWh in 2010 to $108 per kWh by 2025. Some industry experts believe that prices could reach $100 per kWh, making electric vehicles cost-competitive with gasoline-powered cars without subsidies.
The Shenxing batteries’ reduced charging time and high performance "materially alleviate consumer range and charging anxiety", according to a Morgan Stanley research note. However, debates regarding the safety and durability of ultra-fast charging persist.
China's EV market is massive, with pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars accounting for 57.4% of new vehicle deliveries in the first half of 2026. The cost advantage of China's manufacturing sector, coupled with technological advancements, will further drive the electrification of the global automotive industry, industry experts assert.
Companies such as BYD, Gotion High-Tech, and CATL continue to dominate the global EV battery market, and Chinese firms are investing heavily in next-generation battery technologies like solid-state batteries, aiming to improve energy storage capacity and drive range, as well as enhance safety.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
