Breakthrough Lithium-Metal Battery Powers EVs with 497 Miles Range in 12-Minute Charge
September 15, 2025
These batteries are expected to last over 186,400 miles, comparable to Tesla's batteries that retain 85% capacity after 200,000 miles, representing a significant leap in durability.
Overall, this innovation marks a major step toward ultra-fast charging and extended range, potentially transforming EV adoption and performance, with the possibility of powering 500-mile trips on a 12-minute charge.
The core challenge addressed was the uneven deposition of lithium ions during charging, which leads to dendrite growth; the new electrolyte promotes uniform ion deposition, enhancing safety and longevity.
Researchers from KAIST and the Frontier Research Laboratory have developed a groundbreaking lithium-metal battery technology that offers significantly higher energy density, enabling electric vehicles to achieve up to 497 miles of range and fully charge in just 12 minutes.
This new battery technology not only extends driving range but also dramatically improves charging speed and lifespan, with lab tests showing a 17-minute charge to 80% over 180 cycles.
The batteries can deliver up to 497 miles of range and can be fully charged in only 12 minutes, addressing major challenges in EV infrastructure and battery capacity.
A key innovation involves a novel electrolyte with a weakly binding anion structure that inhibits dendrite growth, allowing rapid, high-capacity charging while maintaining high energy densities of 321 Wh/kg and 386 Wh/kg.
In laboratory tests, a higher-capacity version of this battery reached 80% charge in 17 minutes over 180 cycles, demonstrating both speed and durability.
The electrolyte prevents dendrite formation by ensuring a uniform surface layer on the lithium anode, which is crucial for safety and performance, and promotes even lithium ion deposition during charging.
The technology extends battery lifespan to over 185,000 miles (300,000 km), surpassing previous limitations and making electric vehicles more reliable over long distances.
This breakthrough enables lithium-metal batteries to achieve rapid charging, going from 5% to 70% in just 12 minutes and maintaining over 350 cycles, which could revolutionize EV charging standards.
Summary based on 2 sources
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Sources

Live Science • Sep 15, 2025
New EV battery tech could power 500-mile road trips on a 12-minute charge
SlashGear • Sep 8, 2025
This EV Battery Breakthrough Promises Huge Range On Only A 12-Minute Charge