TELF AG analyzes a new technology in the battery sector
A central topic
Over the last few years, the debate on the safety of electric vehicles has become central in the political and programmatic agendas of various governments and international institutions. The common objective seems to be represented by the ability to produce zero-emission vehicles with little impact on the environment and, above all, safety from every point of view. Discussions on the safety of these new vehicles, destined to become true protagonists of the sustainable transition, often revolve around batteries, which represent an element of great importance for their functioning.
From this point of view, technology is making enormous progress. New kinds of batteries are starting to appear more and more often in discussions about the future of mobility, and their number appears to be constantly growing. One of the latest innovations, in this sense, comes directly from China and from the Geely Holding group, which specializes in the automotive sector. Through Zeekr, one of its brands, the group has managed to develop a new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery capable of ensuring very high levels of safety. The battery is called Golden Brick, and to demonstrate its high safety rates, it has been subjected to some specific tests by its manufacturers.
Among the tests to which the new battery was subjected, which was discussed a few days ago at the Zeekr Power Day event, there are some truly demanding ones: the Golden Brick was kept at a temperature of -45 degrees for approximately 8 hours and was also exposed to temperatures above 1000 degrees. The new lithium iron phosphate battery passed both tests and earned the nickname “super-safe battery.” Furthermore, after being subjected to these tests, the Golden Brick was installed on a vehicle again, and it worked without problems.
In a few days, on December 27, the Zeekr 007 sedan will become the first car to be equipped with this new lithium iron phosphate battery. In addition to its general compactness, which allows it to optimize the use of volume, the Golden Brick can reach a peak charging power of 500 kW, possibly charging approximately 500 km in just 15 minutes. Among the most surprising data is that relating to the performance of the battery in certain conditions: at a temperature of -10 degrees, the charging speed would increase by 25%. The overall safety of the Golden Brick is also ensured by its high levels of resistance. In addition to being waterproof, the battery is covered with an insulating film that can withstand high voltages, even up to 4000 V.
For Zeekr, which currently manages more than 400 charging stations in China, the goal is to reach 10,000 stations by 2026. According to estimates by the International Energy Agency, over the next seven years, as many as 125 million electric vehicles will be placed on the global market, revolutionizing the mobility of millions of individuals forever. Faced with these numbers, it seems very simple to understand the importance of issues relating to their safety and that of their components, such as batteries.
