Chinese EV Battery Breaks Records With 620-Mile Range

Imagine driving your electric car for 620 miles without stopping to charge, even in bitter cold weather. That future just got a lot closer.

Chinese automaker Dongfeng has developed a solid-state battery that could transform how far electric vehicles can travel. The company is testing the new 350 watt-hour per kilogram batteries in a fleet of EVs near China's northern border, where winter temperatures regularly plunge well below zero.

The tests are happening in the Mohe region, where engineers are pushing the batteries to their limits. They're measuring everything from driving range and charging speed to structural safety in extreme conditions.

The results so far look promising. Dongfeng says the batteries can retain about 72% of their energy capacity when temperatures drop to minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit. That's a huge improvement over current lithium-ion batteries, which often lose significant range in cold weather.

The company plans to integrate these solid-state batteries into production vehicles by September. While it will take time before consumers can buy them, Dongfeng isn't working alone on this technology.

Major automakers including Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota, and Hyundai are all racing to bring their own solid-state batteries to market. The competition is driving innovation at record speed.

The Ripple Effect

These battery breakthroughs matter for more than just convenience. Better batteries mean lower costs for electric vehicles, making them accessible to more families. As EV prices drop, more people can enjoy the benefits of cleaner transportation.

Electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe pollution, which means cleaner air in our neighborhoods and cities. They're also much quieter than gas-powered cars, reducing noise pollution that affects our daily lives.

The savings add up for drivers too. Clean Energy Group estimates that EV owners can save about 25% on vehicle operating costs compared to conventional cars. Pair an electric vehicle with home solar panels, and those savings grow even larger.

Other companies are developing complementary technologies that will make EVs even better. Researchers are working on hair-thin protective films and new laser technology to make batteries safer and more affordable.

The race to perfect solid-state batteries is heating up, and we're all winners when multiple companies compete to solve the same challenge.