Most Batteries on the Market Are Far From Safe Enough, Says Chairman of CATL

TMTPOST--Zeng Yuqun, the Chairman of the world’s biggest electric vehicle battery maker CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd.), called on the industry to prioritize consumer safety over competition by jointly raising safety standards and establishing a strict safety red line at the 2024 World Power Battery Conference on September 1.

"Failure to address safety issues could lead to catastrophic consequences," Zeng warned, emphasizing that improving the safety of new energy vehicles hinges on battery safety. He said battery safety involves a complex system that spans multiple stages, including material development.

Zeng cited a report from China Central Television (CCTV), noting that the fire incidence rate of new energy vehicles in China in 2023 was approximately 0.0096%.

In the first quarter of 2023, the rate of new energy vehicle fires increased by 32%, with an average of eight new energy vehicles catching fire every day, according to the latest data released by the emergency management department.

In Zeng's view, the safety margins of most batteries currently on the market are insufficient. Many products claim to have a safety failure rate at the PPM (parts per million) level, which suggests a failure rate of one in a million. However, in reality, their failure rates are closer to one in ten thousand or even one in a thousand.

He pointed out that with over 25 million new energy vehicles on the road in China today, the number of battery cells in use has reached billions. When multiplied by the failure rate, the potential safety risks become apparent.

Zeng highlighted that CATL has achieved a safety failure rate of one in a billion at the individual battery cell level, reaching the PPB (parts per billion) standard.

During the conference, Zeng also provided an update on CATL's progress in developing solid-state batteries. Unlike traditional liquid lithium batteries, solid-state batteries replace liquid electrolytes with solid electrolyte materials.

This change offers advantages such as higher safety, greater energy density, improved power output, and better temperature adaptability, making them a leading candidate for next-generation battery technology.