SVOLT is a Chinese battery cell maker subsidiary of the giant Chinese automaker GWM (Great Wall Motors), that besides LFP (LiFePO4) and NCM is already producing NMx (LNMO) battery cells.
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SVOLT has its NMx battery cells available in two different sizes. One size is compatible with Volkswagen MEB platform and the other size is a long cell - alternative to the BYD Blade battery.
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SVOLT NMx battery cell (MEB compatible)
- Capacity: 115 Ah
- Voltage: 3,74 V
- Energy: 430 Wh
- Length: 220 mm
- Height: 102,5 mm
- Width: 33,4 mm
- Volume: 0,75317 L
- Volumetric energy density: 571 Wh/L
- Weight: 1,75 kg (estimation)
- Gravimetric energy density: 245 Wh/kg
- Cycle life: 3.000 cycles
- Cathode: LNMO (75 percent nickel and 25 percent manganese)
- Cost: 8 % cheaper than NCM
- Available: Q2 2021
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Unfortunately for SVOLT, Volkswagen isn’t very serious about electric cars. Therefore, I don’t think that Volkswagen will use SVOLT NMx battery cells anytime soon, even if they are already available to order…
Examples of possible applications:
- In a 96s1p configuration (96 cells connected in series) the 400-volt battery pack will have a capacity around 41,3 kWh.
- In a 192s1p configuration (192 cells connected in series) the 800-volt battery pack will have a capacity around 82,6 kWh.
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SVOLT NMx battery cell (L6 – BYD Blade alternative)
- Capacity: 226 Ah
- Voltage: 3,74 V
- Energy: 845 Wh
- Length: 574 mm
- Height: 118 mm (same height as BYD Blade cell)
- Width: 21,5 mm
- Volume: 1,456238 L
- Volumetric energy density: 580 Wh/L
- Weight: 3,52 kg (estimation)
- Gravimetric energy density: 240 Wh/kg
- Cycle life: above 3.000 cycles
- Cathode: LNMO (75 percent nickel and 25 percent manganese)
- Cost: 12,5 % cheaper than NCM
- Available: Q4 2021
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This format is SVOLT’s alternative to the BYD Blade battery. In a 96s1p configuration (96 cells connected in series) the 400-volt battery pack will have a capacity around 81 kWh.
With module-less assembly and a GCTP (gravimetric cell-to-pack) ratio of 90 % the 81 kWh battery pack would weigh around 375 kg.
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BYD Blade battery cell specs
- Capacity: 202 Ah
- Nominal voltage: 3,2 V
- Max charging voltage: 3,65 V
- Energy: 646,4 Wh
- Length: 905 mm
- Height: 118 mm
- Width: 13,5 mm
- Volume: 1,442 L
- Volumetric energy density: 448 Wh/L
- Weight: 3,92Â kg (estimation)
- Gravimetric energy density: 166 Wh/kg
- Chemistry: LiFePO4 (LFP)
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Anyway, both long battery cells from BYD and SVOLT were designed to be implemented in 400-volt systems. However, 800-volt systems are the future of electric cars and require twice as much battery cells connected in series than 400-volt systems. This means that BYD and SVOLT will probably release new thinner “Blade” battery cells to allow more cells to be connected in series in the same space.
Finally, I still want to see SVOLT’s NMx battery cells performing a nail penetration test to know if they are as safe as LFP cells - that won’t burn or explode even if punctured.