930 Miles of range and 10-80% in under four minutes: China unveils the future of electric motoring
Car changing is a big deal
At the Beijing Motor Show, Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has made a major impact by unveiling technology that could transform the electric vehicle landscape. News editor Jamie Edkins tells you everything you need to know.
Range anxiety and charging times are two of the big things which may put you off buying an electric car. Spending half an hour in a motorway service station waiting for your car to charge is no one’s idea of fun after all.
Well Chinese battery maker CATL is promising to make these waits a thing of the past. It’s unveiled some new technology which will make charging your car just as fast as filling up with petrol, as well as deliver up to 930 miles of range from a full battery.
Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.
Charging from 10 to 80% in under four minutes
The first of these products is the third-generation Shenxing battery. It can charge at up to 1,300kW, meaning you can go from 10-80% in just three minutes and 44 seconds. By comparison, the Xpeng G6 is one of the fastest-charging EVs on sale in the UK right now, but it takes 12 minutes to go from 10-80%
A near-full 98% charge takes just six minutes and 27 seconds. Even in extreme conditions, such as -30°C, the battery manages a 20 to 98% charge in only nine minutes.
CATL has also prioritised longevity, claiming that the battery retains over 90% of its original capacity even after 1,000 charging cycles.
A battery with up to 930 miles of range
Another star of the show is the Qilin battery, which uses cell-to-pack technology. In short, this type of battery construction negates the need for additional control modules within the battery, making it lighter and more energy dense.
This extra density translates to a range of 621 miles in an SUV and an incredible 932 miles in a saloon car. That’s almost 360 miles more than the Mercedes EQS; the longest-range electric car on sale in the UK today.
In reality, nobody actually needs a car to do over 900 miles between stops. In the UK, that would mean getting on the motorway and driving at 70mph non-stop for over 12 hours, something which is near-impossible to actually do.
But these batteries are still a massive step towards quashing two of the biggest criticisms people have of electric cars: range and charging times.
A glimpse into the sodium-ion battery
Beyond this, CATL has also been showcasing its sodium-ion battery tech. While these have a lower energy density than traditional lithium-ion cells, they are more eco-friendly to produce, cheaper, and perform better in cold temperatures.
Following the reveal of the Naxtra sodium-ion battery last year, it is expected to enter series production by the end of this year. This technology aims to make the transition to electric mobility both more affordable and easier for everyday drivers.
With these latest announcements at Auto China 2026, CATL is keeping pace with BYD, which recently introduced its own megawatt-charging batteries.
These new technologies are expected to launch in China first. CATL works closely with well-known brands like BMW, Volkswagen, Ford and Tesla, as well as Chinese brands such as Changan. So you could see cars fitted with these new batteries on UK shores soon.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
Click here to follow us on Reddit, where you can keep up-to-date with all the latest news, reviews, advice guides and videos. You can also subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news sent straight to your phone.