Geely Auto Group has revealed its latest self-developed electric vehicle (EV) battery, the Aegis Short Blade Battery, and it is packing some serious features.
This new power battery, based on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry boasts a higher energy density, impressive charging speeds, and an emphasis on safety for EVs.
Geely launches Aegis Short Blade Battery, a long-lasting, fast-charging LFP EV battery with improved safety.Image via Geely
Geely's Latest LFP Battery Can Last Up to 50 Years
According to experts, LFP batteries are known for having a lower energy density compared to other lithium-ion batteries, meaning they cannot store as much energy in the same amount of space.
However, Geely is challenging this norm as the Aegis Short Blade Battery comes with an impressive energy density of 192 Wh/kg and a cycle life of up to 3,500 cycles. This translates to a driving range of approximately 1 million kilometers with minimal impact on range.
For the average family driving 20,000 kilometers a year, this means the battery can last up to 50 years, significantly extending the usage life of the battery and improving the residual value of used cars.
In comparison, Elon Musk himself has stated that Tesla's EV batteries have an estimated lifespan of 300,000 to 500,000 miles, or between 22 and 37 years for the average American driver (numbers from EnergySage).
Fast-Charging EV Battery
One of the key technologies making the Aegis Short Blade Battery special is its use of long, thin carbon nanotubes, which create a "highway" for ion transmission.
According to Geely, this design makes it easier for lithium ions to travel between electrodes, thereby enhancing fast-charging performance.
Geely Auto's test data reveals that the average charging time from 10-80% for the Aegis Short Blade Battery is just 17 minutes and 4 seconds, with an average charging rate of 2.45 C.
In comparison, traditional long blade batteries require 26 minutes, with an average charging rate of 1.61 C.
In addition to its fast-charging capabilities, the Aegis Short Blade Battery excels in cold weather performance. At an ambient temperature of -30°C, the battery retains 90.54% of its capacity, significantly higher than the 78.96% retention rate of long blade batteries.
Aside from a "high-strength, thermally stable, heat-resistant diaphragm" paired with a safety electrode for higher energy density and safety, Geely Auto has also incorporated its self-fusing technology on the electrode surface to prevent short circuits in the event of an accident.
The company has also stated that the battery has passed rigorous safety tests, including seawater corrosion immersion, extreme cold environment, high-frequency pack bottom scraping, 26-ton overweight rolling, single-pack side collision, and fire roasting.
Remarkably, a test showed that the battery could be pierced by eight 5-millimeter-diameter steel needles simultaneously and left to stand for an hour with no reported bad effects.
The Aegis Short Blade Battery will first be used in Geely's Galaxy series of E5 all-electric SUV models.
