GM's XFC Cell tech charges EV batteries in 5.6 minutes
GM's experimental XFC Cell charges from 10% to 70% in 5.6 minutes, aiming for EV charging times comparable to gasoline refueling. Learn about this breakthrough.
2026-02-14T02:12:18+03:00
2026-02-14T02:12:18+03:00
2026-02-14T02:12:18+03:00
GM has unveiled its experimental XFC Cell technology—a battery capable of charging from 10% to 70% in just 5.6 minutes. This represents one of the fastest results in the industry and marks a significant first step toward charging times comparable to refueling a gasoline vehicle. The development has already earned two R&D; 100 Awards.The solution is built on a combination of an LFP cathode and a new silicon anode. While lithium iron phosphate has long been praised for its reliability and cost, its charging speed has remained a weakness. GM engineers tackled this issue through specialized surface treatments of the electrodes, enabling the battery to handle high currents without accelerated wear or mechanical degradation.The project was overseen by research director George Sintra, with key engineering work carried out at GM's Chinese lab under the leadership of Helen Liu. The company emphasizes that scalability is just as important as performance—the technology was designed from the outset for mass production and reasonable cost.GM views the XFC Cell as a step toward full charging in 3 to 5 minutes. If the concept makes it to production, it could reshape the market: the primary criticism of EVs—lengthy charging times—would effectively disappear.
GM XFC Cell, fast-charging battery, EV charging, lithium iron phosphate, silicon anode, electric vehicle technology, R&D 100 Awards
GM's experimental XFC Cell charges from 10% to 70% in 5.6 minutes, aiming for EV charging times comparable to gasoline refueling. Learn about this breakthrough.
Michael Powers, Editor
GM has unveiled its experimental XFC Cell technology—a battery capable of charging from 10% to 70% in just 5.6 minutes. This represents one of the fastest results in the industry and marks a significant first step toward charging times comparable to refueling a gasoline vehicle. The development has already earned two R&D 100 Awards.
The solution is built on a combination of an LFP cathode and a new silicon anode. While lithium iron phosphate has long been praised for its reliability and cost, its charging speed has remained a weakness. GM engineers tackled this issue through specialized surface treatments of the electrodes, enabling the battery to handle high currents without accelerated wear or mechanical degradation.
The project was overseen by research director George Sintra, with key engineering work carried out at GM's Chinese lab under the leadership of Helen Liu. The company emphasizes that scalability is just as important as performance—the technology was designed from the outset for mass production and reasonable cost.
GM views the XFC Cell as a step toward full charging in 3 to 5 minutes. If the concept makes it to production, it could reshape the market: the primary criticism of EVs—lengthy charging times—would effectively disappear.
