Major battery manufacturer solves critical problem with this new battery

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has developed a lithium-metal battery that combines two crucial properties: high energy density and a significantly longer lifespan than its predecessors.

The latest prototypes have an energy density of over 500 watt-hours per kilogram and can endure 483 charge-discharge cycles while retaining 77% of their original capacity. This is still less than lithium-ion batteries but significantly more than older versions of lithium-metal batteries. CATL calls this a 'major breakthrough'.

The difference lies in the structure: lithium-metal batteries use pure lithium metal on one side, allowing them to store more energy in the same weight. However, they used to degrade quickly. CATL's research team identified the problem in the electrolyte's salt composition and adjusted it for better performance.