While the global mainstream battery energy density is struggling to climb within the range of 250 to 300 watt-hours per kilogram, a research result from China has pushed this figure to 700 watt-hours per kilogram. This is not a gradual improvement but a disruptive leap. The joint team from Nankai University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Shanghai Space Power Research Institute published their findings in the journal Nature on February 26, 2026. They successfully broke into the "forbidden zone" of the electrolyte design with fluorine elements, completely replacing the "lithium-oxygen coordination" paradigm that has dominated the industry for decades with the "lithium-fluorine coordination".

The core of this breakthrough lies in overcoming the century-old problem of difficult solubility of lithium salts in fluorine-containing hydrocarbon solvents. Traditional electrolytes rely on oxygen-containing solvents, but the strong coordination between oxygen and lithium ions acts like an invisible lock, limiting the rate of charge transfer and causing performance degradation and energy density reaching a ceiling at low temperatures. Fluorine theoretically has a weaker coordination, which can accelerate ion migration, but its extremely low dielectric constant and weak Lewis basicity make it difficult to effectively solvate lithium ions thermodynamically, and it has long been regarded as an "unbreakable" obstacle by the international academic community. The Chinese team did not stop at theoretical taboos but instead used precise molecular engineering to regulate the electronic density and spatial steric hindrance of fluorine atoms, ultimately finding the key to unlock the lock.

The significance of this breakthrough lies in demonstrating the profound transformation of China's scientific and technological innovation model. In the past, our efforts in the battery field were mostly focused on optimizing the efficiency of existing routes, which was like accelerating on a fixed track. This research, however, dared to explore a different path outside the established system and challenged the "impossible" in fundamental science. This "taking a detour to overtake" courage stems from the long-term and systematic research investment mechanism at the national level. In recent years, the National Natural Science Foundation of China has established the "Original Exploration Program" and "Major Research Program", clearly supporting high-risk, disruptive, and non-consensus research, providing institutional guarantees and trial-and-error space for scientists to challenge "forbidden zones".

From an application perspective, this technology has opened up the imagination space in high-end fields such as new energy vehicles, embodied intelligent robots, and aerospace. Its characteristic of remaining stable at minus 50 degrees Celsius directly breaks through the geographical and environmental boundaries of lithium batteries. Currently, leading enterprises like Gansu High-tech have initiated pilot tests, and the industry chain is rapidly following suit. Although large-scale production still faces cost and process challenges, the feasibility of the technical path has been proven, and it is only a matter of time before it moves from the laboratory to industrialization.

While global battery giants are still fiercely competing on the lithium-oxygen coordination track, Chinese scientists chose to directly reshape the race. This quiet "breakthrough" is far more valuable than the mere refreshment of technical indicators. It proves to the world that true leadership does not lie in how followers strive to run, but in whether there is the courage to raise the flag in the uncharted territory. There are no eternal forbidden zones in scientific innovation; only unbroken stereotypes.

Winter charging for electric vehicles requires careful attention to details to mitigate adverse effects on range and battery longevity.  

**1. Selecting an Appropriate Charging Environment**  

Prioritize indoor charging stations or sheltered, dry locations such as underground parking facilities or garages. These environments maintain relatively stable temperatures, enhancing battery reactivity and charging efficiency.  

**2. Avoiding Enclosed Spaces**  

Safety is paramount. Refrain from charging in confined areas like indoor spaces or corridors, where battery overheating and potential hazards may occur. Always opt for well-ventilated locations to ensure safety.  

**3. Frequent Charging to Avoid Low Battery Levels**  

Winter accelerates battery depletion. Initiate charging when the battery level drops below 50%, and ensure timely replenishment once it reaches 20%–30% to prevent significant battery degradation.  

**4. Extending Charging Duration Appropriately**  

During winter, slightly prolong charging times—typically 8–10 hours. After the charger indicator turns green, continue floating charging for 1–2 hours to ensure full battery saturation.  

**5. Preconditioning the Battery for Faster Charging**  

Utilize the vehicle’s preconditioning feature or undertake a short trip before charging to elevate the battery to its optimal temperature. This practice accelerates charging speed. Many models support automated battery preconditioning during home charging—leverage this functionality.  

**6. Fast Charging vs. Slow Charging**  

In low-temperature conditions, DC fast charging outperforms AC slow charging in terms of duration. However, frequent fast charging may compromise battery health. Strategically balance fast and slow charging to preserve battery longevity.  

**7. Cultivating Sound Usage Habits**  

Employ climate control and seat heaters judiciously to minimize additional battery strain. When parking for extended periods, deactivate non-essential electrical systems to avoid unnecessary power drain.  

**Key Takeaways**  

- Choose suitable charging environments and avoid enclosed spaces.  

- Charge frequently to maintain adequate battery levels.  

- Adjust charging duration appropriately for winter conditions.  

- Precondition the battery to optimize charging speed.  

- Adopt disciplined energy management practices.  

These guidelines aim to enhance your winter electric vehicle charging management for improved performance and durability.

How to promote the construction of charging infrastructure to meet the demands of electric vehicle (EV) development? Norway, a pioneer in EV adoption with the world’s highest charging point coverage—including deployments even within the Arctic Circle—offers valuable experience worthy of observation and study.

Public charging points demonstrate stronger profitability  

Between 2008 and 2011, Norway took four years to sell its first 10,000 EVs. By 2022, however, the same volume was achieved in approximately four weeks. As the total cost of EV ownership reached parity with internal combustion engine vehicles, EV sales surged dramatically, which in turn fueled a sharp rise in demand for charging infrastructure. This created first-mover advantages for enterprises that entered the charging infrastructure market early.

Public charging points in Norway command price premiums, enabling them to sustain high profit margins. McKinsey research shows that the cost of using on-the-go chargers—those deployed along highways and near fueling stations—is three to four times higher than the cost of home charging. According to McKinsey’s Global Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Model, by 2030, public charging solutions such as on-the-go and destination charging (e.g., at shopping malls, cinemas, and restaurants) are projected to account for approximately three-quarters of Norway's EV charging profit pool, despite representing only around 40% of total electricity demand. In contrast, home charging will require a quarter of total electricity supply but contribute merely one-tenth to the profit pool.

Optimizing Charger Deployment and Operational Capabilities  

The extensive market potential of charging infrastructure has attracted a wide array of participants—including conventional fuel retailers, automakers, public utilities, and independent energy companies—all actively investing in charging infrastructure development. However, as EV market penetration increases and user demands grow more diverse and complex, competition in the charging sector is intensifying.

A fragmented provider landscape offers users a wide variety of charging options, yet the need to switch between different charging applications often causes inconvenience. Widespread system issues—such as limited direct payment options, poorly designed parking bays, short charging cables, and hardware malfunctions—also contribute to user frustration and may exacerbate charging availability anxiety. In Norway’s latest annual EV charging survey, more than half of respondents reported that fast chargers frequently experience outages.

McKinsey analysis indicates that highly dispersed charging stations, each equipped with only a small number of chargers, can lead to user queuing and prolonged waiting times, further aggravating concerns around charging convenience. Therefore, in high-utilization areas such as highways, building large-scale charging hubs with a substantial number of chargers can strengthen operators' competitiveness.

Designing Tailored Services to Meet User Needs  

Public charging stations serve diverse users on a daily basis—from taxi drivers and long-distance travelers to daily commuters. Each user segment has distinct charging requirements. For example, families on long journeys may prioritize nearby amenities where they can rest or dine, showing less concern for charging speed. In contrast, taxi drivers place greater emphasis on charging speed and cost variations across different charging locations.

McKinsey concludes that defining the appropriate pace and scale of charging infrastructure development is a key insight from Norway’s EV charging evolution. Companies investing in charging infrastructure are advised to adopt a comprehensive strategy, gaining a thorough understanding of all aspects—from profit pool dynamics and target customer segments to investment timing. A clear product roadmap should be developed for each target segment, featuring a well-articulated value proposition, strategic pricing, and an integrated user journey.

However, in recent years, our dominant position in global production has not only been limited to toys, textiles, and even laptops and smart phones, but has been moving towards automobiles, which are the crown jewel of the industrial sector.

According to authoritative media reports, over the past decade, China's annual production and sales of new energy vehicles have increased from the thousand level to the tens of millions level. The products have been exported to 70+ countries and regions，accounting for over 60% of the world's share，making it a "glorious card" of Chinese manufacturing.

From July 2025 to the end of July，according to the car export data released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers，China's car exports continued to grow at a high rate. Among them，new energy vehicles became the core driving force. Below is the 2025-2025 July production and export ranking list of top 20 manufacturers compiled by Yiche. Next, we will conduct a detailed analysis based on this list.

Chery holds the first place，but BYD is coming at a fierce pace.

In 2024，Chery became the top domestic exporter. Relevant data shows that in 2024， Chery exported 11，445，880 vehicles，an increase of 21.4% year-on-year， and ranked first in China's brand passenger car exports for 22 consecutive years. It's quite impressive that being able to export one million vehicles per year is a result that many domestic car manufacturers envy.

This year，from July to the end of July,Chery's export momentum remained strong. At a glance，its export volume in the first seven months was 662，903 units，achieving a 6.9% growth year-on-year. If there are no unexpected circumstances，Chery's export volume is expected to exceed 1.2 million units this year，continuing to lead the exports of domestic car brands.

The second place is BYD. It's undeniable that BYD's volume is truly huge. Because its export volume in the first seven months reached an astonishing 5，214，620 units， an increase of 123.4% year-on-year，equivalent to doubling and more.

In the first quarter of 2025，BYD became the top brand in sales in Hong Kong and Singapore； in Brazil，Italy，Thailand，and Australia，BYD was the leader in new energy vehicle sales in the first quarter；in the UK，BYD's sales in the first quarter showed the highest growth rate both in terms of both month-on-month and year-on-year.

If this trend continues, BYD may truly become the undisputed champion of new energy vehicles globally, further widening the gap with Tesla.

【Conclusion】 The Chinese automotive industry is reshaping the global market pattern at an unprecedented speed. From Chery's steady lead， BYD's rapid rise， to Geely and Great Wall's close pursuit， Chinese car manufacturers not only win by scale，but also gain话语权 through technological innovation and global strategies. The explosive growth of new energy vehicles has become the core engine driving China from a "manufacturing giant" to a "smart manufacturing powerhouse"，and the breakthrough and challenges in the European market have demonstrated the depth and complexity of China's globalization.