CATL Explains EV Range Loss at High Speeds and Unveils Energy-Saving Battery Tech

CATL recently addressed, through official channels, the phenomenon of significant range reduction in electric vehicles (EVs) during high-speed driving. The company clarified that this issue is not due to inflated battery specifications but stems from three main factors: substantially increased aerodynamic drag, reduced efficiency of the motor and battery under high-speed operating conditions, and higher power consumption by in-vehicle electrical systems. Among these, aerodynamic drag is the primary contributor—when vehicle speed increases from 60 km/h to 120 km/h, air resistance quadruples, and the required driving power increases eightfold. Additionally, at high speeds, the motor must deliver greater power output, causing the battery to discharge at high current, which generates heat. This triggers the thermal management system to activate cooling measures—a process that itself consumes additional energy. Meanwhile, onboard electrical appliances such as air conditioning further increase overall power consumption. CATL also highlighted its advanced battery technologies: the third-generation Qilin battery achieves an energy density of 280 Wh/kg, enabling a 255 kg weight reduction for the entire vehicle and lowering energy consumption by 6% per 100 kilometers. The Shennxing battery features a low internal resistance design, with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells averaging just 0.25 mΩ—currently the lowest globally—resulting in less heat generation. It is also paired with a cell shoulder cooling solution that improves cooling efficiency by 20%.