QuantumScape solid-state batteries can fast charge (80%) in 15 mins as per tests. QuantumScape Data Shows Industry-First 15-minute Fast Charging for Hundreds of Consecutive Cycles.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – January 27, 2022 – QuantumScape Corporation (NYSE: QS), a pioneer in the development of solid-state lithium-metal batteries, announced today that its battery cells have completed 400 consecutive 15-minute fast-charging (4C) cycles from 10% to 80% of capacity while retaining well over 80% of the initial energy – a first for this type of battery technology. QuantumScape tested single-layer prototype battery cells in commercially relevant sizes at a variety of temperatures (25°C and 45°C), 3.4 atmospheres of pressure, and 100 percent depth of discharge.
Internal combustion engine vehicles can be refueled in around 5 minutes, whereas today’s leading lithium-ion electric vehicle (EV) batteries take roughly 30 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% capacity at a rate that does not shorten the battery’s lifespan. EVs cannot provide the same user experience as internal combustion engine vehicles because of the longer charging time. If QuantumScape can successfully translate today’s shown capability into the marketplace, the time gap between recharging EVs and refueling their combustion-engine counterparts will be only a few minutes, potentially allowing for more widespread EV adoption.
The materials utilized in today’s EV batteries, such as graphite in the anode, have physics-based rate constraints that might cause permanent damage if charged repeatedly at high rates, limiting the vehicle’s range. This may force EV drivers to choose between the convenience of quick charging and the preservation of their battery range. QuantumScape used the same procedure to evaluate battery cells from a commercially available third-party EV and discovered that after only a few dozen charge cycles, the third-party cells rapidly degraded.
After 400 cycles of 15-minute (4C) fast charge between a 10% and 80% state of charge, QuantumScape’s lithium-metal battery cells retained more than 80% of their initial energy. 400 cycles equal approximately 160,000 total driving miles for a car with a range of 400 miles.
“We believe QuantumScape’s lithium-metal technology provides a pathway to significantly improved fast-charging performance in EVs,” said Jagdeep Singh, co-founder and CEO of QuantumScape. “We believe innovations like this are crucial to narrowing the performance gap between EVs and combustion-engine based vehicles, and represent the future of the electrified transportation sector.”
Read the deep dive white paper here.
QuantumScape’s fast-charging results are detailed in this new white paper and will be presented at a live webinar today, commencing at 9:30 am PST
QuantumScape is a leader in developing next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for electric vehicles. The company is on a mission to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future. For more information, please visit www.quantumscape.com.