Polestar and StoreDot to collaborate on ‘extreme fast charging’ EV technology

StoreDot’s XFC pouch cell was demonstrated at ‘Polestar Day’ in Los Angeles yesterday (November 9, 2023), alongside Swedish company Polestar’s prototype battery module, which integrates the XFC technology. The ‘100-in-5’ battery technology is said to offer 100 miles (160km) of range after a five-minute charge.

As part of an ongoing engineering project, the two companies announced their plan to demonstrate the XFC technology at full scale in a Polestar 5 GT prototype in 2024. Polestar plans to have a line-up of five performance EVs by 2026.

As well as 100-in-5, StoreDot’s XFC solutions include charging from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in 10 minutes.

In a statement, Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath said: “StoreDot is making huge strides forward in the development of their extreme fast charging technology, and we are a proud investor and partner in its evolution.

“StoreDot’s pioneering extreme fast charging batteries, combined with our upcoming top-of-the-line electric powertrain, can revolutionise the ownership experience for EV owners with the ability to recharge in minutes.”

Dr Doron Myersdorf, StoreDot CEO, said: “Polestar has been one of our key investors and collaborators as we develop our XFC technology. Next year we’ll show how a full-scale battery module developed by Polestar, with this revolutionary technology, can be charged. Charging anxiety will soon be a thing of the past.”

Instead of current lithium-ion batteries using graphite-based electrodes, StoreDot said they have been developing a silicon-based anode design, which could be used on more affordable lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries. StoreDot believes its anode design could also improve the energy density of LFP batteries.

Dr. Myersdorf added: "We still have lots of work to do to fully integrate our systems into a production car, but our teams are already fully engaged, and we will be demonstrating those results in the coming months."