The battery has a density of up to 500 Wh/k, which means it can store 500 Watt hours of energy for every kilogram of its weight. According to CATL, the battery has a condensed electrolyte, making it safer to use.
CATL says it is working with unnamed partners to meet safety requirements for electric passenger aircraft. The company has already achieved success in the automotive sector and plans to begin mass production of an automotive-focused variant of the battery later this year.
The company has set ambitious goals to achieve carbon neutrality for its manufacturing plants by 2025 and across the battery value chain by 2035. CATL plans to focus on mining, bulk raw materials, battery materials, cell manufacturing, and battery systems to achieve these goals.
While the development of electric planes has been ongoing, it requires more significant advances than CATL’s new battery for them to become a viable alternative to today’s jet-fuel-powered aircraft. However, the introduction of this battery is a significant step in the direction of cleaner and smarter air transportation.
Source: Engadget