Ionblox (earlier post) announced the launch of its extreme fast charging lithium-silicon cells designed for electric vehicles (EVs). Leveraging the superior energy storage capability of silicon, the company’s new cells reduce charging times while extending driving range, offering EV manufacturers a significant leap in performance and efficiency.

The Ionblox technology enables extreme fast charging (XFC), achieving 60% of the battery’s capacity in just 5 minutes and 80% in 10 minutes. In addition, Ionblox’s high-energy cells allow EV manufacturers either to extend the range of an EV by 30% to 50% using a similarly sized Ionblox battery pack or to reduce weight and cost with a smaller Ionblox battery pack.

XFC data was collected in 32 Ah pouch cells having a specific energy of 300 Wh/Kg. Cells were charged at a 7C rate (CC+CV) for exactly 5 minutes and discharged over 1 hour at a 1C rate.

Ionblox’s lithium-silicon cells not only charge more efficiently but also maintain their performance over the vehicle life time. Under rigorous testing of large-format 32 Ah capacity pouch cells, Ionblox’s batteries can endure more than 1,000 extreme fast charge cycles with minimal degradation. This is made possible using a patented pre-lithiated silicon monoxide anode, and a unique cell architecture that can be built on existing cell manufacturing equipment. recp

In 2022, Ionblox received a new United States Advanced Battery Consortium (USABC) contract to develop low-cost and fast-charge silicon-based cells for EVs. Ionblox has also received a strategic investment from Lilium, a leading eVTOL company. Ionblox extreme fast charging cell technology will enable eVTOLs to fly numerous times per day increasing the amount of time the aircraft spends in the skies.