Polestar 5 prototype charges in just 10 minutes

The test involved charging a Polestar 5 prototype from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes. The fully drivable verification prototype maintained a consistent charging rate, starting at 310kW and escalating to a peak of over 370kW towards the end of the session.

This demonstration marked the first time a 10-minute 10-80% extreme fast charge utilising silicon-dominant cells was achieved in a drivable vehicle, rather than merely individual cells in a laboratory setting. This achievement underscores Polestar's ongoing dedication to enhancing driving experiences through cutting-edge technology partnerships. The specifically designed 77 kWh battery pack, which could potentially be expanded to at least 100kWh, is capable of adding 320km of range to a mid-sized electric car within ten minutes.

This XFC trial by Polestar and StoreDot battery engineers aimed to provide a proof-of-concept for XFC battery technology that might be integrated into future Polestar vehicles.

Thomas Ingenlath, Polestar CEO, says: “Time is one of life’s greatest luxuries, and as a manufacturer of luxury electric performance cars, we need to take the next step to address one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership – charging anxiety. With this new technology, on longer journeys when drivers do stop, they’ll be able to spend less time charging and be back on the road faster than before. In fact, that stop time will be more akin to what they experience with a petrol car today.”

StoreDot’s XFC technology employs silicon-dominant cells, which boast an energy density comparable to leading NMC cells and do not necessitate specialist cooling systems within the vehicle. The design of the experimental XFC battery’s modules not only enhances mechanical properties and cooling efficiency but also aims to maintain or even reduce weight levels. Furthermore, high recyclability and serviceability were paramount considerations in the development of the battery pack.

In current commercial EV batteries, fast charging rates can significantly vary depending on the battery’s state of charge (SOC), often decreasing as the SOC rises. However, during this test, Polestar observed the charging speed increasing from 310kW at 10% SOC to over 370kW at 80% SOC. This demonstrated the technology's ability to maintain a steady charging rate with no significant alteration in speed or efficiency across a broad SOC range.

Crucially, the test confirmed that XFC technology is compatible with today's DC charging infrastructure, which increasingly includes more high-power DC chargers rated at 350kW or higher.

This compatibility means that drivers will be able to significantly reduce the time they spend charging their vehicles. While a 10-80% charge on many modern EVs might typically take about 30 minutes, with XFC technology, this time could be reduced to just ten minutes, aligning the charging duration more closely with that of refuelling a petrol car. Moreover, with consistent charge speeds and a suitable charger, drivers could feasibly pause for five minutes at 50% SOC and resume their journey with over 80% SOC.

Dr Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, comments: "We are very excited to share this impressive achievement today and proud to be on this journey with Polestar. Polestar’s commitment acknowledges that extreme fast charging technology is necessary to make widespread electric car adoption a reality. This breakthrough revolutionises ownership by eradicating the barrier of range and charging anxiety once and for all as drivers will be able to travel long distances with the same freedom and convenience as traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles."