Extreme fast charging algorithm for lithium-ion batteries with precision lithium plating regulation for degradation reduction

The ability to rapidly charge electric vehicles (EVs) has long stood as a formidable barrier to their widespread adoption. Overcoming challenges like lithium plating and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer growth during extreme fast charging (XFC) conditions has proven elusive. This article reports a groundbreaking charging algorithm, named CQtCV, that achieves unprecedented fast charging times while minimizing degradation rates and excelling in capacity retention. In this protocol, ‘CQt’ denotes the constant (C) of the capacity (Q) reduction rate (t) due to plating, enabling precise regulation of lithium plating rate below a critical threshold before transitioning to a constant voltage (CV) regime. Compared to the conventional constant current-constant voltage (CCCV) method, CQtCV charges the battery faster while having a comparable degradation rate or it charges the battery at the same rate while exhibiting less degradation. Notably, CQtCV achieved an average charging time of 7.2 min to reach 80 % capacity, representing an 85 % reduction compared to CCCV while maintaining the same degradation rate. For the same charging time, CQtCV showed a 73.93 % increase in nominal capacity over 100 cycles compared to CCCV. This achievement propels us toward a future where EVs can be charged faster and more efficiently, facilitating their wider adoption.