In a significant leap forward for electric vehicle technology, the Polestar 5 prototype has demonstrated extreme fast charging (XFC) capabilities, charging from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes. This remarkable achievement, realized through a collaboration between Polestar and StoreDot, utilizes StoreDot’s innovative silicon-dominant battery cells and marks a pivotal moment in addressing EV charging times, a key barrier to wider adoption.
Pioneering Extreme Fast Charging for Polestar 5 and Beyond
StoreDot’s XFC battery technology has garnered considerable attention within the automotive industry, and this live demonstration with the Polestar 5 showcases its real-world potential. The 10-minute charge was achieved on a standard 77kWh battery pack, powered by StoreDot’s silicon-based innovation. This is a world-first for an EV of this battery size, demonstrating the viability of XFC for mainstream electric vehicles like the Polestar 5.
Dan Corfas, Director of Product and System Engineering at StoreDot, highlighted the complexities overcome in this project. “The real challenge was integrating StoreDot’s XFC technology into the existing Polestar 5 architecture without requiring significant vehicle modifications,” he explained. “This involved overcoming mechanical, electrical, thermal, and software hurdles to create a battery capable of 10-minute charging while ensuring cell longevity and safety. Our collaborative team at Polestar was instrumental in creatively solving these challenges. A key aspect of our cell design is its ‘drop-in’ nature, which extends to manufacturing, ensuring compatibility with standard production lines.”
Polestar 5 prototype showcased during the Extreme Fast Charging demonstration event.
Corfas further elaborated on the technical success, stating, “Sustaining a charge rate exceeding 310kW, peaking at 370kW, without causing overheating is a major accomplishment.” He emphasized the future potential of silicon-based technology, noting its ability to improve energy density and charging rates across future generations, unlike traditional graphite anodes which are nearing their performance limits. “We are rapidly advancing the design. We’ve already proven the cell’s durability with over 2000 XFC cycles, and now we’ve validated its performance within a battery pack. This demonstration is a critical step towards commercializing XFC technology and accelerating EV adoption, especially for models like the Polestar 5,” Corfas added.
Polestar 5 electric vehicle in a dynamic outdoor setting, highlighting its design and innovation.
Enhancing the Polestar 5 Driving Experience with Rapid Charging
The collaboration between StoreDot and Polestar directly addresses “charging anxiety,” a major concern for potential EV adopters. By significantly reducing charging times, this technology enhances the practicality and appeal of electric vehicles, making models like the Polestar 5 even more attractive. Albert Vila, Director of Business Development, Europe at StoreDot, underscored the commercial significance: “Our joint demonstration with Polestar sets a new industry benchmark. Showcasing our XFC cells in a Polestar vehicle highlights our dedication to innovation and improving the EV driver experience.” He further noted, “Integrating extreme fast charging into a vehicle like the Polestar 5 requires careful consideration of numerous factors. The fact that we achieved this charging speed using existing charging infrastructure, without proprietary chargers, is truly remarkable. Successfully demonstrating this on a fully functional, drivable vehicle makes me incredibly excited about the future.”
Jens Groot, Battery System Chief Engineer at Polestar, provided the automaker’s perspective: “This achievement is a world first, to my knowledge. We are seeing charging speeds in a standard vehicle, without novel cooling systems, that are unprecedented. Consistent speeds of 310-380 kW were reached, proving that these speeds are now achievable in standard cars like the Polestar 5. Importantly, we made no external modifications beyond the battery pack itself, utilizing the original cooling pump and fan,” he stated, referring to the Polestar 5 prototype. “With this battery technology, the state of charge when you begin charging becomes almost irrelevant. Whether starting at 10% or 60%, the charging speed remains consistently high. This fundamentally changes the EV charging experience, making it as convenient as refueling a gasoline car.”
Close-up of the Polestar 5 charging port during the fast charging demonstration.
The Future of XFC and Polestar 5
This demonstration is more than just a technological showcase; it represents a tangible step towards transforming the automotive industry. By proving that EVs can be charged in the time it takes for a coffee break, StoreDot and Polestar are leading the way for widespread adoption of XFC battery technology. As this technology matures towards commercial availability, it promises to offer EV drivers a seamless and convenient experience, making electric vehicles like the Polestar 5 more appealing and contributing significantly to the global transition towards sustainable transportation.
Albert Vila from StoreDot and Jens Groot from Polestar, key figures in the fast charging technology collaboration.
The commitment made by the CEOs of Polestar and StoreDot in 2023 is now materializing into reality. This collaborative effort serves as a powerful call to action for the entire automotive industry to embrace innovation and work together to overcome existing challenges, paving the way for a future where faster charging and cleaner mobility are accessible to all, and where vehicles like the Polestar 5 lead the charge.
