China’s BAK to build big 4680 cylindrical batteries in multi-billion expansion

Chinese battery manufacturer Shenzhen BAK Power Battery is expanding its production capacities to include a 30GWh large cylindrical battery production line.

BAK Battery first unveiled its full-tab big 4680 cylindrical battery in early 2021, and in early 2022 the company announced that it was increasing the level of nickel in its lithium NCM batteries to nearly 50%.

“High nickel and big cylindrical will become the core route of the next generation of lithium batteries, satisfy customers’ higher requirements for driving experience, especially charging efficiency experience,” said Dr. Lin Jian, BAK Battery’s chief scientist, speaking in early 2022.

Fast-forward to last week, and the company announced on its WeChat account a partnership with the municipal government of Changzhou which would see BAK Battery invest 13 billion yuan (around $A2.7 billion) to expand its production capacities.

The planned 30GWh large cylindrical battery production line and associated research & development centre serve to mark a new milestone for the company’s scale-up of production.

Li Xiangqian, chairman of BAK Battery, also announced that the new Changzhou factory would be powered by 100% green electricity.

According to BAK Battery, its full-tab big cylindrical battery puts safety first, and is able to deliver zero thermal diffusion, ensuring both overall safety and consistent quality throughout the battery’s entire lifecycle.

BAK Battery claim that the increased energy density of its big cylindrical battery allows for EV batteries to deliver over 800 kilometres of range, and can charge to 80% in between 9 to 20 minutes (based on different models) – or, as the company explains, can add between 200-300km in 5 minutes.