On March 30, at the China Electric Vehicle 100 People Forum 2025, Pei Feng, President of JuWan Technology, was interviewed by several media outlets, including Yiou Automotive. He provided detailed insights on topics such as ultra-fast charging technology, low-altitude economy, commercial vehicles, and solid-state batteries.
In the commercial vehicle sector, Pei noted a rapid increase in electrification rates, with a penetration rate exceeding 10% last year and an expected 20% this year. Heavy-duty trucks, being time-sensitive operational tools, require rapid charging solutions, making ultra-fast charging technology increasingly dominant over battery swapping systems. JuWan Technology launched the world’s first ultra-fast charging battery for heavy-duty trucks at the end of 2023, which can charge from 0% to 80% in just 15 minutes, suitable for various scenarios and significantly enhancing operational value.
The “Ultra Charging City” initiative is progressing well. The goal set for Guangzhou in 2022 has resulted in the establishment of over 300 ultra charging stations this year. With support from companies like Huawei, the ultra charging ecosystem is developing rapidly, and the construction of ultra charging stations is expected to accelerate due to the growing number of ultra charging vehicles.
Regarding the trend in fast charging technology, Pei shared with Yiou Automotive that ultra-fast charging is a crucial user need, and its market adoption is exceeding expectations. Many manufacturers are launching ultra-fast charging models. JuWan Technology introduced its production technology in 2022, enabling 0% to 80% charging in 7.5 minutes, showcasing significant advantages. The safety and energy density of JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries maintain a balance, adhering to safety standards that surpass national requirements, even while achieving rapid charging.
In the emerging low-altitude economy, JuWan Technology collaborates with EHang to equip its aircraft with ultra-fast charging batteries, greatly enhancing aircraft efficiency and profitability. They are also expanding ultra-fast charging efforts into maritime and electric motorcycle sectors.
To address the issue of battery performance degradation in low temperatures, JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries utilize a unique temperature management system that ensures charging speeds remain significantly higher than those of standard batteries, even in cold conditions. Pei also pointed out that the demands of electric vehicles on the power grid are unrelated to the speed of charging; ultra-fast charging not only exerts less impact on the grid but can also improve charging habits.
In terms of solid-state battery development, JuWan Technology plans to first tackle ultra-fast charging before transitioning to full solid-state batteries as a technological pathway. The growth of ultra-fast charging and the penetration rate of new energy vehicles mutually reinforce each other, and with infrastructure and manufacturers pushing forward, 2023 is anticipated to be a breakout year.
However, the ultra-fast charging industry faces bottlenecks regarding infrastructure and product quality, necessitating the further rollout of ultra charging piles and the transformation of production capabilities to provide high-quality, reasonably priced products. Pei emphasized that future innovations in battery technology will focus on enhancing energy density and developing solid-state batteries capable of ultra-fast charging, promoting industrial progress and carbon reduction.
Below are excerpts from Pei Feng’s interview, organized by Yiou Automotive (with some edits):
- Q: The battery technology for commercial vehicles has developed rapidly in the past two years, with the demand for heavy-duty trucks and long-range capabilities becoming evident. How does ultra-fast charging technology establish its own advantages in this market environment?
A: The electrification rate of commercial vehicles is rising rapidly, with a penetration rate exceeding 10% last year and projected to reach 20% this year. Heavy-duty trucks, being operational tools, are sensitive to time, and rapid refueling is a necessity, primarily achieved through battery swapping and ultra-fast charging. Previously, battery swapping dominated the commercial vehicle sector, accounting for 60%-70%, but as ultra-fast charging technology matures, swapping ratios are decreasing while charging ratios are increasing. JuWan Technology’s ultra-fast charging battery can charge from 0% to 80% in just 15 minutes, making it suitable for mining operations, short-haul logistics, and 200-300 km trunk logistics, saving time, reducing costs, and enhancing operational value. - Q: What is the current progress of the previously proposed “Ultra Charging City” plan, and what benefits will it bring to the commercial vehicle sector?
A: Regarding the “Ultra Charging City,” we set a goal in 2022 to build 1,000 ultra charging stations in Guangzhou by 2025, with over 300 already established this year. Last year, Huawei significantly promoted the ultra charging ecosystem, constructing 50,000 ultra charging stations across 200 cities. We are also pushing forward the ultra charging project in Hainan, and Huawei is advancing the “World Ultra Charging City” project in Shenzhen, which has seen the establishment of 1,000 stations last year. Currently, highway service areas in the Bay Area are equipped with 480 kW, 600 kW, and 720 kW ultra charging stations. As the number of ultra charging vehicles increases, the speed of station construction will also accelerate. - Q: Fast charging technology is spreading faster than imagined, with 3C fast charging last year and 5C this year. BYD has introduced 10C super fast charging; how do you view this market trend? What challenges are there?
A: Ultra-fast charging is a fundamental need for users. The main concern when purchasing electric vehicles is charging convenience. The international definition of XFC states that charging 0% to 80% in under 10 minutes qualifies as ultra-fast charging. The first step is under 15 minutes, targeting an average power of 3C (15 minutes) and 6C (10 minutes). China’s planning indicates achieving 15 minutes by 2025, ultimately reaching 10 minutes. JuWan Technology launched its 0%-80% charging technology within 10 minutes and can achieve 7.5 minutes. Many manufacturers are rolling out ultra-fast charging models, including XPeng, Chuanqi (using JuWan batteries), and BYD, which has just released models with peak charging of 10C. Ultra-fast charging technology is developing rapidly because it meets user needs, and as more companies enter this field, ultra-fast charging vehicles will proliferate, showcasing the benefits of technology. - Q: How is the balance between battery safety and energy density maintained?
A: To enhance the charging speed of ultra-fast charging batteries, such as charging 0% to 80% in 7.5 minutes, there is a slight compromise on energy density. JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries can achieve 250 Wh/kg, only a slight decrease from standard batteries that reach 260 Wh/kg, ensuring both rapid charging and range. Safety is paramount; national standards for thermal runaway are stringent, requiring that battery packs ensure safety within 5 minutes during heating and combustion, allowing occupants time to escape. JuWan adheres to a 24-hour standard, ensuring the battery pack does not ignite under the most extreme conditions. - Q: What progress has JuWan Technology made in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft sector?
A: Last May, JuWan partnered with EHang to equip its eVTOL aircraft with our ultra-fast charging batteries, making us their exclusive partner. As mobile devices become electrified, low-altitude aircraft require rapid charging. Previously, a 15-minute flight needed over an hour to recharge, limiting operations to six or seven flights a day. With our ultra-fast charging batteries, charging time is reduced to just 5-10 minutes, allowing over twenty flights a day, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and profit models. We are also working on ultra-fast charging for ships, electric motorcycles, heavy-duty trucks, and engineering machinery. - Q: Northern users have complained about reduced battery range and charging speed in winter conditions. Can JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries maintain charging efficiency at temperatures as low as -10°C or lower? What leading technologies facilitate this?
A: Range reduction in low temperatures is a prominent issue. JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries are rated at 6C, charging six times faster than typical batteries. Although charging speed slows in cold conditions, it remains six times faster than standard batteries. To address winter issues, we have a unique temperature management system. Our Phoenix battery integration technology includes an efficient temperature management system that can heat batteries to above 0°C within 3-5 minutes, enabling high-power rapid charging without affecting range. This critical technology is already in mass production. - Q: There was an incident last year involving a pure electric MPV with 5C charging capacity that caused a power outage in an area during charging. While high-rate ultra-fast charging stations are being built rapidly, the grid has load limits, creating a conflict. How can this be resolved? If unresolved, it may affect future station deployments. Additionally, with liquid batteries achieving 10C, what is the significance of solid-state battery development?
A: This raises two questions. First, regarding the grid issue, generally, the power demand from electric vehicles is unrelated to charging speed; it’s tied to the number of vehicles in use. As charging efficiency improves, the number of required charging stations will decrease. China has 2.4 million fueling nozzles serving 330 million fuel vehicles, while over 200 million electric vehicles are only served by more than 200,000 ultra-fast charging nozzles, indicating that the grid has sufficient power capacity for charging construction. Ultra-fast charging merely increases the flow rate at the charging “faucet.” Ultra-fast charging not only exerts less impact on the grid but also encourages more dispersed charging habits, which is beneficial for the grid. Second, regarding the potential for solid-state battery development, the challenge lies in achieving both fast charging and lightweight. Ultra-fast charging technology, based on liquid, addresses the fast charging aspect, while solid-state batteries aim to reduce weight and can potentially double energy density. However, achieving ultra-fast charging with solid-state batteries is complicated due to the transition from liquid to solid reaction interfaces. JuWan’s technological pathway is to first achieve ultra-fast charging and then develop solid-state technology. We received national project support for solid-state battery development at the end of last year, focusing on ensuring ultra-fast charging performance first. - Q: The decline in battery swapping heavy-duty trucks last year—does this signify an opportunity for ultra-fast charging technology? Will heavy-duty trucks prefer ultra-fast or fast charging technology in the future? Does ultra-fast charging have the most value in heavy-duty truck applications? Considering the relatively low penetration rate of new energy in heavy-duty trucks compared to light commercial vehicles, can breakthroughs in ultra-fast charging technology enhance this penetration rate? How long might this take?
A: The development of ultra-fast charging and the penetration rate of new energy vehicles mutually support each other. As the penetration rate of new energy vehicles increases, more users will demand electric vehicles, which in turn drives the need for ultra-fast charging due to concerns over charging convenience. Consulting firms predict that by 2030, the penetration rate for ultra-fast charging will reach 68% (charging to 80% within 10 minutes and taking at least 15 minutes), with the penetration rate of new energy vehicles exceeding 50% this year and potentially being even higher by 2030. The penetration rate of heavy-duty trucks currently lags that of passenger vehicles by about three years, but it has entered a phase of rapid growth. The commercial vehicle sector operates in a ToB market, where economic calculations are crucial. When charging time is under half an hour and exceeds 2.5C, ultra-fast charging is more cost-effective based on the full lifecycle economic model. In contrast, the passenger vehicle market focuses more on user experience, where ultra-fast charging combines technology and high-end experiences, allowing for rapid development. As manufacturers and infrastructure proliferate, ultra-fast charging is expected to experience a breakout year in 2023. The launch of technology and products by BYD signifies the start of technological equality in ultra-fast charging, making it standard even for mid-range and low-end models. - Q: What bottlenecks remain in the ultra-fast charging industry chain? In terms of technological innovation for the new energy vehicle industry, what areas will future battery innovations focus on?
A: The widespread adoption of ultra-fast charging faces two main challenges. First, from the infrastructure perspective, ultra-fast charging piles need to be further popularized. Last year, Huawei entered the field, and the government released standards for ultra-fast charging hardware and software. Related ecological enterprises are pushing for construction, but a broader rollout of charging facilities is still needed. Second, regarding product quality, past production capacities were mostly for standard batteries. The structures and processes of ultra-fast charging batteries differ, requiring new or modified capacities to provide sufficient high-quality ultra-fast charging battery products at reasonable prices. JuWan’s ultra-fast charging batteries are priced 5%-10% higher than standard batteries, aligning with market demand. However, if costs are too high, the speed of adoption will be hindered. Innovations in battery technology must address the same challenges as fuel tanks: achieving fast charging, lightweight construction, high safety, strong reliability, and low costs. A key direction for the future is to enhance energy density. Currently, power batteries are ten times heavier than fuel tanks, and solid-state batteries could reduce weight by half. Developing solid-state batteries with ultra-fast charging capabilities will be a key focus in research and development. Continuous improvements in energy density are essential, ultimately aiming for weights comparable to fuel tanks, enhancing industrial efficiency and contributing to carbon reduction.
