[Boyee Observation] Charging Anxiety in New Energy Vehicles, Multiple Car Manufacturers Focus on High-Voltage Fast Charging Track.

To address charging anxiety, multiple car manufacturers have chosen the high-voltage fast charging approach. Porsche Taycan was the first model to introduce 800V fast charging technology. Following Porsche's lead, other car manufacturers such as BYD, Dongfeng Fengguang, Geely, and Xiaopeng Motors have also started to focus on the high-voltage fast charging track. Xiaopeng G9 has become the first 800V high-voltage SiC (silicon carbide) model in the market.

Fast charging functionality is increasingly becoming a standard feature in high-end models of new energy vehicles. Fast charging technology is also becoming the new focus of competition among power battery manufacturers.

01

The main materials used in high-voltage fast charging

In the high-voltage fast charging functionality, the materials involved mainly include lithium-ion batteries, battery management systems, chargers, electrolytes, and more.

Lithium-ion batteries serve as the primary energy storage device in new energy vehicles. They offer high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight portability.

The positive electrode materials commonly used in lithium-ion batteries are lithium iron phosphate, lithium manganese iron phosphate, or lithium cobalt oxide. These materials exhibit good discharge performance and cycle life, meeting the requirements of high-voltage fast charging while providing high energy density and charging/discharging efficiency.

The negative electrode material is another important component in lithium-ion batteries, responsible for storing and releasing lithium ions.

图片来源：网络

The traditional negative electrode material is graphite, but its capacity for storing lithium ions is limited, and it is prone to electrochemical reactions during high-current charging and discharging, leading to the loss of lithium ions.

To enhance the high-voltage fast charging functionality, researchers are developing new types of negative electrode materials, such as silicon-based materials. These materials have higher lithium ion storage capacity and exhibit better cycling stability and electrochemical performance.

02

Various material characteristics

Electrolyte is the conductive medium in lithium-ion batteries, used for the transportation of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. Common electrolyte types include organic electrolytes and inorganic electrolytes.

Organic electrolytes are typically composed of organic solvents that dissolve lithium salts. They exhibit high ionic conductivity and relatively lower electrical conductivity.

Inorganic electrolytes, on the other hand, are solid-state materials such as oxides or sulfides. They possess higher thermal stability and electrical conductivity.

图片来源：网络

Conductive additives are substances used to improve the conductivity of electrode materials. Commonly used conductive additives include carbon black and conductive polymers. They can increase the electrical conductivity of electrode materials, enhance the transfer rate of lithium ions, and consequently improve the high-voltage fast charging functionality.

The aforementioned materials are crucial components for achieving high-voltage fast charging in new energy systems.

Their optimization and improvement can enhance the energy density, charging/discharging speed, and cycle life of lithium-ion batteries, providing faster, safer, and more reliable charging experiences for new energy vehicles.

03

Other materials and management systems: 

BMS (Battery Management System) is responsible for monitoring and managing the battery, ensuring its safety and performance stability. It can real-time monitor parameters such as battery voltage, temperature, and current, and control and protect the battery based on these parameters.

BMS also includes a balancing system to equalize the charge among different battery cells, improving the overall lifespan of the battery pack.

Chargers are devices that convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for charging the battery of an electric vehicle.

High-voltage fast chargers typically have higher charging power and output voltage, enabling rapid charging of the battery within a short period of time.

Electrolyte is an important component of lithium-ion batteries, responsible for the ion transport within the battery. The electrolyte is typically a mixture of organic solvents and lithium salts.

The electrolyte needs to have a high ion transport rate and stable electrochemical performance to ensure efficient charging and discharging performance as well as safety of the battery.

High-voltage fast charging is characterized by fast charging speed and high energy conversion efficiency, allowing electric vehicle batteries to be rapidly charged within a short period of time. This is particularly useful for long-distance travel and emergency situations.

However, high-voltage fast charging can lead to increased battery temperature and excessively fast charging rates. Therefore, appropriate materials and systems are required to ensure the safety and stability of the charging process.

Additionally, the establishment of high-voltage fast chargers and the widespread deployment of charging stations are important factors in the implementation of high-voltage fast charging as a standard feature.