The heaquarter campus of Gotion High-tech in Hefei, capital city of the eastern Chinese province of Anhui. Credit: Gotion High-tech
China’s Gotion High-tech on May 17 unveiled a Tesla-like yet cheaper cylindrical battery as well as a more common prismatic battery with ultra-fast charging among its latest products.
Additionally, the Volkswagen-invested battery maker announced its participation in the global race to make all-solid-state batteries, as China looks to catch up with rivals in producing an alternative battery success story. Speaking to reporters during its annual technology conference, Gotion’s management stated that the company would continue its global expansion despite uncertain geopolitical conditions.
New batteries
Gotion is aiming to begin mass production of its new larger-format 4695 cylindrical battery – which is 46 millimeters in diameter and 95 millimeters in length – in the fourth quarter of this year. Shipment will then begin first to overseas markets, said Cheng Qian, president of the firm’s Asia-Pacific business unit.
The nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) battery cell targets producers of luxury vehicle models that look to provide their owners with an unbeatable driving range and charging speed. It has an energy density of 285 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), charges from 10% to 70% in nine minutes, and maintains at least 70% capacity for 2,500 cycles at room temperature, said Gotion.
A vertical integration strategy is behind the battery’s cost advantage over rivals, according to Gotion. The Chinese battery maker has reduced dependency on external sources for raw materials including for its cathodes and anodes, ensuring relatively stable production in eastern China’s Anhui province. It also handled 300,000 tons of old batteries last year in an effort to make the most of recyclable metals including nickel and cobalt.
Gotion also announced it has begun making at scale its so-called “G-Current” battery, which could provide a 5C charge rate and allow it to recharge from a low state of charge to 80% in less than 10 minutes. The prismatic rectangular batteries will be available to customers for various battery chemistries including NCM and cheaper lithium iron phosphate (LFP).
The G-Current is expected to meet surging demand for ultra-fast charging in the Chinese market, not just for battery-powered EV owners but for those driving plug-in hybrids. At least “several” gigawatt hours (GWh) of the capacity will come into force later this year for batteries supplied to clients with their PHEV models, Cao Yong, vice president of Gotion’s Engineering R&D Institute, told reporters (our translation).
The company also gave updates about an LFP product containing manganese. It plans to supply two international clients as early as the third quarter of this year with the product, with more than a dozen carmakers testing the LFP. A 140 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, first unveiled to the public last year, could power an EV for more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) on a single charge.
Gotion High-tech showcased an all-solid-state battery prototype at its annual technology conference in the eastern Chinese city of Hefei on Friday, May 17, 2024. Credit: Gotion High-tech
All-solid-state battery
Gotion is hoping to start trial production of all-solid-state batteries by 2027 and is aiming for volume production by 2030, it was revealed, with the company publicly sharing its progress in the key emerging technology for the first time. The prototype battery cell has 30 Amp-Hours (Ah) of capacity and an energy density of 350 Wh/kg. The pack is set to reach 280 Wh/kg at a systemic level, giving it a driving range of 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) on a single charge.
Like its Japanese rivals, China’s fifth largest EV battery maker by shipment is matching sulfide-based solid electrolytes, which theoretically gives the battery a high ionic conductivity, with silicon-based anodes, a non-toxic and promising active material, according to Pan Ruijun, a technical lead at Gotion. The company said the 3000-charge battery maintains thermal stability at 200°C above operating temperature.
Pan expects Chinese companies to shape the future of solid-state batteries globally, not only because the government is ramping up support for their development, but also because China is a major source of key raw materials. Japan is by far the leading force in this innovation, with Toyota aiming for deployment as early as 2027. Chinese auto and battery majors such as GAC are playing catch up.
Overseas expansion
Gotion management also defended the company’s strategic supply of the American market, saying tariffs on Chinese battery imports would have little impact on the company’s US business operations.
The Chinese battery maker plans local battery production, geared towards energy storage (one of its major exports to the US), in 2026, said Chen Ruilin, vice president of international business. The Biden Administration has said it would increase the tariff rate for Chinese non-EV lithium-ion batteries from 7.5% to 25% in 2026. Gotion’s raw material factory in Michigan is set to begin operation by the end of this year, and it is aiming for volume production of battery cells at a $2 billion plant in Illinois by the middle of 2025, according to Chen.
Gotion, headquartered in the eastern city of Hefei, has ambitiously proposed a plan to have 100 GWh of capacity in each of its major overseas markets, namely the Americas, Europe and Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region, by 2030. It already makes batteries in Thailand, as well as at one of its European factories. The Illinois plant is expected to begin production this year, according to the state governor’s office.
Jill Shen is Shanghai-based technology reporter. She covers Chinese mobility, autonomous vehicles, and electric cars. Connect with her via e-mail: [email protected] or Twitter: @jill_shen_sh
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