Jun 13, 2017, MIIT released ‘‘Passenger Vehicle Enterprises Average Fuel Consumption and New Energy Vehicle Credits Parallel Management Method (Exposure Draft)’, gave detailed calculation method to BEV, PHEV and fuel cell etc. 3 kinds of passenger vehicles types’ credits. The credits are confirmed according to driving range, the longer driving range, the higher corresponding vehicle credits.
ASIACHEM believes that, new energy vehicle relevant policies will continue promoting power LIB energy density’s increase. The policy above is a latest example.
There are many factors that influence driving range, among, the main factor is energy density of power batteries. Besides, there also are many other reasons, like performance of battery management system etc. Currently, China mainstream power batteries are LFP battery and ternary material battery. ASIACHEM data shows that, in 2016, China power battery consumption was about 27.4GWh, among, LFP battery and ternary material battery over proportion reaches 95%.
Before, in Dec 2016, MOF, MOST, MIIT and NDRC joint published ‘Inform on Adjust NEV Generalization and Application Policy of Fiscal Subsidies’. The ‘Inform’ stated that the government would comprehensive considerate battery capacity, energy density level etc. factors to confirm vehicle subsidies standard. To pure electric coaches, those system energy densities are higher than 115Wh/kg can be given 1.2 times subsidies; to pure electric passenger vehicles, those system energy densities are higher than 120Wh/kg can be given 1.1 times subsidies.
As LFP has short plate on energy density, it is quite hard to increase its system energy density to more than 115Wh/kg in short term. Ternary material battery, however, its energy density increasing ways are more flexible and increasing space is bigger, which attract many power battery enterprises’ active layout. ASIACHEM believes that, ternary material battery, especially high nickel ternary material battery, has basically confirmed as market leading technology roadmaps.
Except leading in high nickel material to increase ternary battery specific energy, changing battery size also is an effective way to increase battery energy density. Influenced by 21700 battery co-produced by Tesla and Panasonic, currently, many 18650 enterprises in China are also doing related layout. Document shows that, Tesla 18650 and 21700 battery which uses ternary cathode material comparison is as below.
In Jun, 2017, EVE Energy fully automation production line which 21700 and 18650 are compatible construction and operation. Information shows that, its 21700 battery volume is 4Ah, which is 50% increase compare with 18650 battery; its energy density is 215Wh/kg, which is 5-10% increase compare with 18650 battery; its group quantity reduces 30%; besides, 21700 battery’s product first pass yield ≥96%, on consistency aspect, it increases 1% compare with 18650; it realizes 1hr rapid charging technology. Besides, this 21700 battery charging temperature range is 0~55℃, discharging temperature is -20~-60℃, storage temperature is -20~-45℃, and wide temperature resistance is excellent.
Jul, 2017, Far East First New Energy official website information shows that, the company new built 3GWh/a high energy density power and energy storage LIB R&D and industrialization project has started construction in this year. The project will new increase 6 PPM 21700-5Ah production lines.
Besides, Shenzhen BAK, Dynavolt Renewable Energy etc. enterprises also explicitly declare that it will operation 21700 battery in the future capacity expansion. ASIACHEM believes that, in the future, 21700 is expected to become market mainstream plan.
