developed new materials for lithium-ion batteries that would sharply improve charging efficiency for electric vehicles, especially in extreme cold

SHANGHAI, July 6 (Reuters) - Chinese battery maker CATL (300750.SZ) said on Thursday it has developed new materials for lithium-ion batteries that would sharply improve charging efficiency for electric vehicles, especially in extreme cold.

Wu Kai, CATL's chief scientist, told a forum in Shanghai that the company, the world's largest battery supplier, had developed new electrolyte materials that could sharply improve the charging efficiency of current lithium-ion battery designs.

Wu did not detail how CATL had been able to achieve the improved battery performance he described.

He said the new electrolyte could deliver a 50% increase in efficiency in extreme cold at minus 20 degrees Celsius and 43% under more normal temperatures.

Winter weather conditions are a challenge for EVs since the cold slows reactions inside the electrolyte solution, needed to pass a charge between the battery's two electrodes. In cold conditions, the battery also has to do extra work to heat an EV, a further drag on range.

Wu did not detail how CATL had been able to achieve the improved battery performance he described.

He said the new electrolyte could deliver a 50% increase in efficiency in extreme cold at minus 20 degrees Celsius and 43% under more normal temperatures.

Winter weather conditions are a challenge for EVs since the cold slows reactions inside the electrolyte solution, needed to pass a charge between the battery's two electrodes. In cold conditions, the battery also has to do extra work to heat an EV, a further drag on range.

Toyota (7203.T) said last month it had overcome an issue with the durability of solid-state batteries that would pave the way for production as soon as 2027. It said it expected to be able to half the cost and weight of those batteries and deliver a charging time of 10 minutes or less.

Wu said he was skeptical that solid-state batteries were ready for mass production and of the cost reduction claims.

"What I am sure of is no one is capable of mass producing solid-state batteries in the industry currently," Wu said in response to a question. "They claim to be able to halve the costs, which is very exciting and would be very disruptive, but I wonder what base they are comparing."

Reporting by Zhang Yan in Shanghai; editing by David Evans