This new aluminum-based EV battery could solve cold-weather range and charging issues

Researchers from China’s Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics recently unveiled a new EV battery technology aimed at delivering stronger performance in freezing conditions than traditional lithium-ion packs. The so-called “liquid-solid” battery is claimed to retain more than 85% of its capacity after operating for eight hours at -34°C (−29°F), with early tests conducted using industrial-grade drones showing promising results.

While this liquid-solid technology has yet to be tested in an electric vehicle, a team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has taken a similar step and tested a different EV battery technology designed for sub-zero temperatures using a production vehicle from automaker Geely. According to CarNewsChina, the researchers have successfully tested an aluminum-based wide-temperature lithium-ion battery in a Geely EX5 EV, claiming it can achieve over 92% discharge efficiency at -25°C (-13°F) and charge to 90% in around 20 minutes under extreme cold conditions.

Cold weather has long been a weak spot for regular lithium-ion batteries. In many EVs, including models from Tesla, low temperatures can reduce range and slow charging speeds unless the battery is carefully preconditioned. Even with advanced thermal management systems, performance typically drops as temperatures fall well below freezing.

The new aluminum-anode design is said to address this issue by widening the battery’s operating temperature range. In testing, it reportedly remained functional across a broad temperature window and managed heat effectively during fast charging without requiring complex insulation setups. If these results translate to large-scale production, it could mean less winter range anxiety and faster charging for drivers in cold regions.

Cold climates may no longer slow down EVs

Chinese battery giants like BYD and CATL have already been racing to push ultra-fast charging technology, with claims of adding hundreds of kilometers of range in just minutes under ideal conditions. However, maintaining that performance in below-freezing temperatures remains a challenge.

If commercialized, this aluminum-based battery could offer a meaningful edge by combining fast charging with strong cold-weather efficiency. It is still early days, and further validation will be needed before the new battery tech appears in mainstream EVs. But the development shows just how quickly battery innovation is moving, especially as automakers compete to close the gap between electric and ICE vehicles in all climates.