The Energy Technology Center (ITE) can charge batteries in less than 15 minutes.

The Energy Technology Center (ITE), located in Valencia, has announced a pioneering breakthrough in battery research for electric mobility. Thanks to the PROMOBAT project, the research team has developed battery prototypes capable of fully recharging in less than 15 minutes, all while ensuring their safety and prolonging their lifespan.

This achievement, with a distinctly Spanish stamp, represents a decisive step toward the mass adoption of electric vehicles, both for private use and for public transport and logistics fleets.

Over the past few months, ITE researchers have been working intensively at their pilot battery plant to prototype cells and modules based on advanced technologies.

This has included the development of high-energy-density batteries through an innovative combination of materials, new cell designs, and sophisticated thermal management systems. These advances are crucial to overcoming the safety and overheating challenges associated with ultra-fast charging.

A key achievement of the project has been the production of prototype solid-state cells with hybrid electrolytes. These cells represent a significant performance improvement over conventional lithium-ion batteries, promising significant increases in efficiency and safety. The incorporation of thermal interface materials and control electronics, along with progress in the development of silicon-carbon (Si-C) anodes, are precursors to a new generation of solid-state batteries.

Alberto León, head of the PROMOBAT project at ITE, highlighted the importance of this milestone: "The sector's great challenge has always been to reduce charging times without compromising safety. With PROMOBAT, we have developed prototypes that allow a battery to be fully charged in less than 15 minutes, staying within the optimal operating range, improving heat dissipation, and raising safety standards. This advance can facilitate access to faster and more sustainable electric mobility."

Beyond technical improvements in the laboratory, PROMOBAT is modernizing the battery sector's value chain in Spain. The project establishes a comprehensive quality and safety assessment methodology, accelerating the detection of potential issues and ensuring the long-term performance of the developed systems. This milestone not only reduces one of the main barriers to entry for the general public, but also contributes to sustainability and the fight against climate change by promoting the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

The PROMOBAT project, under file IMDEEA/2024/90, was funded by the Valencian Institute for Business Competitiveness (IVACE+I) and the Valencian Government, with support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ITE has worked closely with local technology companies and organizations, facilitating the transfer of knowledge and accelerating the arrival of these advances to the market and society.