Polestar and StoreDot have recently completed a successful demonstration of StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology in a vehicle, specifically a Polestar 5 prototype, marking the first application of this technology in a car. The demonstration showed that the prototype could be charged from 10% to 80% in just ten minutes, achieving charging rates from 310 kW and peaking over 370 kW. This trial, using a drivable vehicle with a 77 kWh battery potentially expandable to 100 kWh, aims to mimic the quick refueling times of traditional petrol cars, adding about 200 miles of range in ten minutes.
This development is part of Polestar’s ongoing efforts to enhance electric vehicle (EV) ownership by addressing common concerns such as charging time and range anxiety. The test vehicle utilized silicon-dominant battery cells, similar in energy density to high-end NMC cells, without the need for specialized cooling systems. The design of the battery pack also focuses on structural integrity, cooling efficiency, lightweight, recyclability, and ease of service.
The demonstration also confirmed that XFC technology is compatible with existing DC fast-charging infrastructure, which increasingly includes chargers capable of 350 kW or higher. This compatibility ensures that drivers can utilize the current charging network efficiently, potentially reducing typical charging times significantly.
Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, emphasized the importance of reduced charging times in improving the convenience of EVs, likening the reduced stop time to that of refueling a petrol car. Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, highlighted the potential impact of this technology on overcoming barriers to EV adoption, offering drivers more freedom and convenience comparable to conventional vehicles.
