Recently authorized to sell its vehicles in France, Polestar, which belongs to the Chinese giant Geely, will soon arrive in France. The good news is that this manufacturer has a technology in its pipeline that could revolutionize the fast charging of electric cars.
Long banned in France because of a dark history of a logo too close to that of Citroën, the manufacturer Polestar, which belongs to the Chinese group Geely and competitor to Tesla, will finally soon arrive in France. This is good news for many electric car enthusiasts, since its Polestar 2 sedan, for example, promises more than 654 kilometers of range with its 82 kWh battery.
But that’s not all, since this manufacturer not only has several vehicles in its pipeline capable of meeting different uses, such as the Polestar 3 SUV or the large Polestar 4 sedan, but in addition, the development of the Polestar 5 conceals a technology which could end up convincing certain buyers who are still hesitant to go electric.
100 miles in 5 minutes
At the inaugural Polestar Day, held in Los Angeles, California, the event brought together key executives and innovations in front of an audience of customers, investors and press. Among these, one particularly caught our attention: a partnership between Polestar and StoreDot regarding extremely fast charging (XFC) technology, which would be integrated into the future Polestar 5, first with a prototype, in 2024.
This advancement promises to solve one of the biggest challenges facing EV owners: charging time. XFC technology, dubbed “100-in-5,” is designed to recharge 100 miles (160 km) of range in just 5 minutes. This performance is made possible by innovative battery chemistry that moves away from traditional lithium-ion battery formulations.
StoreDot has developed battery cells that use metal nanoparticles, thereby optimizing conductivity and enabling ultra-fast charging without compromising battery safety or longevity.
StoreDot’s XFC batteries are distinguished by their unique anode and cathode composition, as well as special electrolyte additives that facilitate the rapid movement of lithium ions. These ions move through the electrolyte toward the anode, a process that is usually the bottleneck of charging speed in conventional lithium-ion batteries. The nanoparticles act as an accelerator while reducing the risk of dendrite formation, which can cause short circuits and overheating.
Minimize heating
Thermal management is another essential technical aspect of XFC technology. Batteries are equipped with cooling plates placed above and below the battery, which are an integral part of the vehicle structure. These plates are crucial for dissipating the heat generated during fast charging, thereby ensuring the thermal stability of the battery and extending its lifespan.
This structural approach also contributes to the rigidity of the vehicle chassis, providing additional benefits in safety and driving performance.
Importantly, XFC technology is compatible with existing battery pack formats, meaning it can be integrated without requiring revolutionary battery design. A way for the manufacturer to implement this technology more quickly in production vehicles without waiting for the development cycles of new models.
At a time when we are still waiting for inexpensive electric vehicles, and at a time when the offer of electric cars equipped with 800 volt platforms, the only inexpensive way to obtain charging times that approaching the convenience of a full tank of gas at a gas station, is extremely reduced, XFC technology seems to be a pipe dream that many buyers dream of taking the plunge. It remains to be seen to what extent the solution from the Israeli start-up StoreDot will be able to pass the industrialization milestone.
28