Electric cars could soon recharge in record time. An American company has unveiled an innovative battery that enables a vehicle to charge in just 10 minutes, thanks to a new technology.
The company Sionic Energy has developed a battery for electric vehicles using a 100% silicon anode. This advancement promises significantly higher energy density than traditional graphite batteries. The innovation is based on a collaboration with Group14 Technologies, which has developed a silicon-carbon composite, the SCC55.
Silicon anodes provide a 50% gain in energy density compared to graphite anodes. This improvement means that batteries could store more energy while maintaining the same volume. It could also be possible to recharge a car in an impressive time frame of just 10 minutes.
Another advantage of this technology is its production capacity. Sionic plans to produce enough silicon-carbon composites to equip around 200,000 electric cars each year. Group14 Technologies will open a manufacturing facility in 2025 to produce 4,000 tons of this composite annually, enabling large-scale production.
The flexibility of this technology is another of its strengths. It can be easily integrated into existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing processes. Sionic's battery platform is compatible with various cell formats, which accelerates the adoption of this innovation in the market.
Beyond electric vehicles, this battery could also have applications in other fields, such as electronics and aviation. Sionic is already exploring its use in electric aerial vehicle projects, like eVTOL flying taxis.
The performance of these batteries is also impressive in terms of lifespan. They are designed to last up to 1,200 cycles in cell formats ranging from 4 Ah to 10 Ah, a longevity far superior to traditional batteries, which generally do not exceed 500 to 1,000 cycles. The company states that they can achieve an energy density of 330 Wh/kg and 842 Wh/L. Tests are also underway with a 20 Ah cell format targeting 370 Wh/kg and 1,000 Wh/L.
The SCC55 composite, developed by Group14, is a true asset. It combines the high storage capacity of silicon with a structure that enables controlled expansion during charging, while maintaining optimal stability over multiple charge cycles.
Sionic Energy's goal is to achieve unmatched performance with this battery, boasting energy densities surpassing those of conventional lithium-ion batteries. This innovation could transform the battery sector and accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by offering faster and more efficient solutions. An important step toward the mass electrification of transportation.