By Shelby Tuttle
A recent collaboration between Polestar, a leader in electric vehicles, and StoreDot, a pioneer in extreme fast charging (XFC) battery technology, has resulted in a significant breakthrough. The achievement? A demonstration of electric vehicle charging that in just 10 minutes, can take a battery from 10% charged to a staggering 80%.
Breaking the Time Barrier
This innovation has the potential to significantly impact consumer perception of electric vehicles (EVs) by addressing a key pain point: charging time. The test utilized a Polestar 5 prototype equipped with StoreDot’s silicon-dominant battery cells. The success highlights the potential to revolutionize the EV landscape.
Tech Specs and Stability
The demonstration showcased impressive technical aspects. The Polestar vehicle, powered by a 77kWh battery pack, maintained a consistent charging rate exceeding 310kW, with peaks surpassing 370kW. Importantly, the battery exhibited no overheating issues throughout the process. Furthermore, StoreDot’s technology is designed for seamless integration with existing vehicles and charging infrastructure, eliminating the need for specialized equipment.
Industry leaders are enthusiastic about the implications. Polestar’s CEO, Thomas Ingenlath, views this technology as a potential catalyst for “reshaping consumer expectations” and accelerating widespread EV adoption. Dr. Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, emphasizes XFC as a “necessary standard” for achieving mass EV adoption. He highlights the ability to add substantial range (up to 200 miles) in just 10 minutes, effectively eliminating “range anxiety” – a major barrier to EV ownership.
StoreDot Pushes the Limits
And that’s not all. They are actively pursuing even faster charging solutions, aiming for production-ready batteries that deliver 100 miles of range in just 5 minutes by year’s end. Their long-term vision is to achieve even more aggressive charging times: 4 minutes for 100 miles by 2026 and 3 minutes by 2028. Beyond technical advancements, StoreDot is forging strategic partnerships to expedite commercialization.
California Paves the Way for EVs
This development coincides with a significant milestone in California’s EV infrastructure expansion. The state now boasts one fast-charging station for every five gas stations, a result of a multi-billion dollar investment focused on bolstering charging networks and hydrogen refueling, particularly in underserved communities. This ambitious plan includes deploying 40,000 new public chargers, establishing the largest charging network in the US. With California already boasting over 105,000 public/shared private chargers and 500,000 at-home chargers, the state is making a significant push towards a more sustainable transportation future.
The collaboration between Polestar and StoreDot represents a major leap forward in EV charging technology, expanding the ability to significantly accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the U.S.
