Electric car news
The world of electric cars is constantly evolving, and Chery’s latest announcement promises to shake up the market. The Chinese manufacturer has just revealed its ambitious project: the creation of a subsidiary dedicated to the production of batteries, called Kunpeng. This initiative could well redefine the standards of autonomy for electric vehicles, with a bold promise of 1,500 km of autonomy by 2026. Let’s dive into the details of this announcement which is shaking the industry.
Kunpeng: Chery’s new weapon in the race for autonomy
At its recent innovation conference in Wuhu, Chery lifted the lid on its independence strategy in the crucial area of electric vehicle batteries. The creation of Kunpeng is not just a simple extension of the company, it is a true statement of intent.
This new subsidiary will position itself on several battery technologies, covering a wide spectrum of needs:
- Lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries for entry- and mid-range vehicles
- High-performance lithium-ion batteries for premium models
- Solid-state batteries for future generations of electric vehicles
The objective is clear: Chery wants to control the entire value chain, from design to production, to optimize performance and reduce costs.
Performances that challenge the imagination
The figures announced by Chery for its future batteries are quite simply breathtaking. The brand promises energy densities ranging from 120 to 200 Wh/kg for conventional batteries, but it is on the side of solid-state batteries that the promises are the craziest.
Chery announces an energy density of 400 Wh/kg by the end of the yearwith an objective of 600 Wh/kg pour 2025. These figures, if achieved, would represent a major technological leap, making it possible to envisage hitherto unimaginable ranges.
The manufacturer does not stop there and promises a ultra-fast charging capacity at 6C. Concretely, this means that you could recover 400 km of autonomy in just 5 minutes of charging. Enough to make long journeys in an electric car as simple as filling up with gas.
Robust technology for all climates
One of the strong points highlighted by Chery is the versatility of its future batteries. They are designed to operate over an extremely wide temperature range, from -40°C to +65°C. This feature is crucial for the mass adoption of electric cars, as it ensures consistent performance whether you’re driving in the desert or Siberia.
In addition, Chery announces impressive durability with a warranty of more than 3000 cycles de charge. This results in a potential battery life that is much longer than that of the vehicle itself, reducing concerns about costly battery replacement.
An ambitious but realistic timetable
Chery is not only announcing incredible figures, the company has also presented a deployment schedule that seems both ambitious and realistic:
- 2024: Start of marketing of Kunpeng batteries to other manufacturers
- 2025: Achieving an energy density of 600 Wh/kg for solid-state batteries
- 2026: Launch of the battery offering 1500 km of autonomy
This schedule shows that Chery is not rushing and is taking the time to perfect its technology before putting it on the market. This is a guarantee of seriousness which should reassure investors and future customers.
The potential impact on the automotive market
If Chery manages to keep its promises, the impact on the automobile market could be considerable. A range of 1,500 km would definitively eliminate the anxiety of breakdowns, one of the main obstacles to the mass adoption of electric cars.
In addition, Chery’s decision to sell its batteries to other manufacturers could accelerate the democratization of this technology. We can imagine that smaller manufacturers, who do not have the means to develop their own battery technology, could benefit from these advances.
However, you must remain cautious. The history of the automobile is punctuated with technological promises that have not always been kept. We will have to wait to see the first prototypes and independent tests to confirm these announced performances.
In the meantime, one thing is certain: Chery’s announcement puts pressure on other market players. Giants like Tesla, Volkswagen or Toyota will have to accelerate their own developments if they do not want to fall behind.
Time will tell if Chery will succeed in its bet. But one thing is certain: the era of the very long-range electric car is underway, and it could well come from China.
Written by Alexandra Dujonc
After studying electrical engineering, I worked on research and development projects aimed at improving the charging capacity of electric cars, which I made into my specialty! I put my in-depth knowledge on the subject of electric charging at your disposal.
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