Polestar and StoreDot showcase new fast charging technology in Polestar 5 prototype

Polestar and StoreDot have recently completed a demonstration of StoreDot’s Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) technology with a Polestar 5 prototype, marking the first implementation of this technology in an automotive context. The demonstration showed that the prototype could charge from 10% to 80% in approximately ten minutes, with charging rates starting at 310 kW and peaking above 370 kW. The prototype vehicle, equipped with a 77 kWh battery (expandable to 100 kWh), aimed to replicate the quick refueling times of traditional petrol vehicles, adding around 200 miles of range in ten minutes.

This trial is part of Polestar’s efforts to address common electric vehicle (EV) concerns such as charging time and range anxiety. The test vehicle used silicon-dominant battery cells that have energy densities similar to high-end NMC cells but do not require specialized cooling systems. The battery pack’s design emphasizes structural integrity, cooling efficiency, lightweight, recyclability, and ease of service.

The demonstration also confirmed that XFC technology is compatible with existing DC fast-charging infrastructure, which increasingly includes chargers capable of 350 kW or higher. This ensures that drivers can make use of the current charging network effectively, potentially reducing typical charging times.

Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar, noted that reducing charging times can enhance the convenience of EVs, drawing a comparison to the time required for refueling petrol vehicles. Doron Myersdorf, CEO of StoreDot, pointed out that this technology could address barriers to EV adoption by offering drivers a level of convenience and freedom comparable to conventional vehicles.