Range anxiety still keeps many people from buying an electric car. So when a report claims a new battery type could push EV range to 2,000 km (1242+ miles), it’s hard not to get excited.
According to CarNewsChina, the claim traces back to Chinese tech outlet IT Home, which says lithium-air batteries could pack up to five times more energy than solid-state ones.
The buzz is tied to CATL, whose Chief Scientist, Wu Kai, called lithium-air a long-range research goal at this year’s Equipment Powerhouse Forum. However, CATL hasn’t promised any launch timeline.
What makes lithium-air batteries so special?
In a regular lithium-ion battery, lithium lives inside both electrodes. Lithium-air batteries use lithium metal on one side and pull oxygen from the air on the other. Without a heavy cathode material to carry, the battery can store a lot more energy for its weight.
On paper, the chemistry can reach roughly 3,505 Wh/kg. That said, this number only describes the chemistry itself. Add in all the extra parts a real battery needs, including the air-handling hardware, and the number drops a lot.
So why can’t we have one yet?
The biggest headache is the air itself. These batteries need oxygen, but air also carries water vapor and carbon dioxide, which can wreck the lithium and gunk up the battery. Cars would need filters and humidity control, which add weight and eat into battery power.
Recharging is another problem. The process can produce harmful oxygen byproducts that gradually eat away at the battery and shorten its life. Plus, storing tons of energy means little if the battery can’t deliver quick bursts of power for passing or fit inside a car.
For now, CATL is focused on sodium-ion and all-solid-state batteries, which are much closer to hitting the market. Lithium-air is an exciting idea, but a 2,000 km EV is still a theory rather than something you can buy.