EV battery breakthrough charges in 12 minutes, lasts 186,411 miles

A joint research team from KAIST and LG Energy Solution has achieved a significant breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) battery technology by developing a new lithium-metal battery that can deliver approximately 500 miles (800 km) on a single charge and recharge in just 12 minutes. This advancement addresses the critical issue of dendrite formation—sharp lithium crystals that degrade battery performance and pose safety risks during fast charging—by introducing a novel “cohesion-inhibiting new liquid electrolyte.” This electrolyte minimizes interface non-uniformity by using an anion structure with weak binding affinity to lithium ions, enabling smooth lithium deposition on the anode and effectively suppressing dendrite growth even under rapid charging conditions. The breakthrough not only enhances charging speed and driving range but also extends battery lifespan to over 300,000 km (186,411 miles), overcoming the traditional trade-off between energy density and charging speed in lithium-metal batteries. This development paves the way for a new generation of high-performance EVs by combining long