Elon Musk Unveils 72-Sec Battery Tech! Game changing w 100% charge in less than 2.5 min

The future of electric vehicles (EVs) is evolving faster than ever. Recently, scientists have developed what they call the “lithium battery killer” — a revolutionary super capacitor that charges in seconds, promising to transform how we power our cars, drones, and even smartphones. Imagine charging an EV to 80% in just 72 seconds and fully 100% charged in 2.5 minutes. This isn’t science fiction — it’s real and happening now.

In this comprehensive blog post, we’ll dive deep into this breakthrough technology, its workings, performance, costs, and what it means for the future of energy storage and EVs.

What is the Lithium Battery Killer?

This new technology is a 7.2 kWh hybrid battery super capacitor pack prototype capable of ultra-fast charging speeds:

80% charged in 72 seconds
98% charged in 120 seconds
100% fully charged in 2.5 minutes

It can handle currents up to 900 amperes (360 kW) — a staggering power output that dwarfs current lithium-ion battery capabilities.

Why is This Such a Game Changer?

Conventional lithium-ion batteries take minutes to charge, even with the fastest chargers. This new super capacitor technology:

Offers a lifespan exceeding 100,000 cycles, several times longer than lithium-ion batteries
Performs stably under extreme temperature conditions
Is targeted for rapid charging applications like urban EVs, e-bikes, drones, robots, and agricultural equipment
Guarantees downtime under 5 minutes for charging — redefining convenience and usability

Imagine an EV charging as fast or even faster than refueling a gasoline car. This could spark an explosive growth in urban electric vehicles — welcome to the future.

How Do These New Super Capacitors Work?

Unlike traditional lithium-ion batteries that rely on chemical reactions to store energy, super capacitors work on purely electrostatic principles.

Basic Structure

Two conductive plates (typically high surface area carbon materials)
Separated by an electrolyte
When voltage is applied, ions accumulate instantly on the electrodes:
- Positive ions on the negatively charged plate
- Negative ions on the positively charged plate

Energy Storage

Energy is stored in the electric field between the charged layers
Charging and discharging occur in seconds or less
No chemical changes, which leads to:
- Exceptional cycle life (over 100,000 cycles)
- Extremely high power densities — can deliver large currents almost instantaneously

The Drawback

Traditional super capacitors have low energy density:
- Typically 5 to 10 Wh/kg compared to 150 to 250 Wh/kg for modern lithium-ion batteries.
This means they cannot sustain power over long periods, making them impractical for extended EV driving ranges or smartphone battery life — until now.

Breakthrough from Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KISS)

In May 2025, KISS unveiled a next-generation super capacitor with a composite fiber architecture that combines:

Polyaniline (PANI) — an intrinsically conducting polymer offering pseudo capacitive behavior
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) — providing high electrical conductivity and a 3D network for ion transport

Why This Matters

This synergy enhances capacitance, energy density, and power output without losing durability.
Achieved a specific capacitance of 1,714 farads per gram (compared to 100-200 farads per gram for typical carbon super capacitors).
Energy density reached 418 Wh/kg, nearly double that of many lithium-ion batteries.
Power density measured at 1,150 W/cm³, enabling ultra-rapid charge/discharge cycles.
Remarkable durability: retains nearly 100% capacity after 100,000 cycles.

Performance Comparison: KISS Super Capacitor vs. Lithium-ion Batteries

Feature	KISS Super Capacitor	Top Lithium-ion Batteries (e.g., Tesla 4680)
Energy Density	418 Wh/kg	~250 Wh/kg
Power Density	115,000 W/kg (115 kW/kg)	1-3 kW/kg
Charge Time	100% in 2.5 minutes	80% in 20-30 minutes (fast chargers)
Cycle Life	>100,000 cycles	1,000-2,000 cycles (20-30% capacity loss)

This means the KISS super capacitor stores 60% more energy per kilogram and offers instantaneous power orders of magnitude higher than current lithium-ion batteries.

Implications for Electric Vehicles

Acceleration and Power

Theoretical 0-60 mph acceleration in under one second based solely on power density.
Practical applications will have limits, but the instant power delivery is a game-changer for performance and efficiency.

Longevity and Fast Charging

Can be charged daily for decades without noticeable degradation.
Perfect for frequent, rapid charging needs in urban EVs, drones, and industrial equipment.
Charging infrastructure demands are reduced with near-instant charge times.

Cost Analysis of the KISS Super Capacitor

While commercial pricing isn’t finalized, KISS estimates:

Cell/fiber level costs around $50 per kWh, comparable or lower than current lithium-ion prices.
Conventional activated carbon super capacitors cost $1,000+ per kWh due to low energy density.
Lithium-ion battery cell prices fell to approximately $115 per kWh in 2024, expected to drop below $100 in 2025.

Material Cost Breakdown

Polyaniline (PANI): mass-produced conductive polymer, relatively low cost.
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs): prices have dropped below $50/kg due to improved manufacturing, primarily in China.
Manufacturing uses roll-to-roll fiber spinning, a streamlined process reducing costs compared to lithium-ion electrode slurry casting.

Potential Pack-Level Costs

A 10 kWh super capacitor pack could cost between $500-$800, compared to $1,000-$1,200 for similar lithium-ion packs.
Adding packaging, thermal management, and control electronics might raise costs to around $1,000 per kWh but still competitive.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its promise, KISS’s super capacitor technology faces hurdles:

1. Scale-Up Challenges

Currently produced in grams/kilograms.
Metric ton scale production requires maintaining over 95% yield.
Purification and sorting of CNTs can be costly and reduce yields.

2. Volumetric Energy Density

Gravimetric energy density is impressive at 418 Wh/kg, but volumetric energy density (~820 mWh/cm³) is comparable to lithium-ion pouch cells.
Packaging and housing can add weight/volume, reducing overall pack density by ~10%.

3. Supporting Electronics and Safety

Voltage balancing, electrolyte containment, and temperature tolerance require robust safety systems.
Adds $50-$100 per kWh in overhead.
Automotive certification processes are stringent and costly.

4. Market Adoption and Supply Chain

Requires proven reliability and consistent supply chains.
Early adopters may face price premiums until economies of scale and competition drive costs down.
Full commoditization expected closer to 2030.

Benefits Over Traditional Lithium-ion Batteries

Ultra-fast charging: 90% capacity in under 45 seconds.
High power output: Supports rapid acceleration and heavy loads.
Exceptional cycle life: Over 150,000 cycles with minimal capacity loss.
Stable under extreme temperatures: Makes them ideal for varied environments.
Reduced battery anxiety: Rapid recharge for smartphones and EVs alike.

Will This Super Capacitor Replace Lithium-ion Batteries?

With an energy density of 418 Wh/kg, nearly double today’s best lithium-ion batteries, KISS’s super capacitor is a massive leap forward. But:

For sustained driving ranges in EVs, total pack volume and weight still matter.
Hybrid systems combining super capacitors and lithium-ion batteries might be the optimal solution in the near term.
Pure super capacitor EVs could become feasible as production scales and designs mature.

Conclusion

The KISS polyaniline-carbon nanotube super capacitor is not just an incremental improvement — it’s a disruptive breakthrough with the potential to change the EV industry and energy storage landscape profoundly. Faster charging, longer lifespan, and higher power density promise a future where EVs can recharge faster than refueling gasoline cars, unlocking mass adoption of urban electric vehicles and beyond.

Are you excited about this technology? Could it finally be the answer to EV charging woes? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

FAQs

1. What is the lithium battery killer super capacitor?
The lithium battery killer is a next-generation super capacitor developed by KISS that can charge in seconds and offers higher energy density and cycle life than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

2. How fast can this new super capacitor charge?
The prototype can charge to 80% in just 72 seconds and reach 100% full charge in 2.5 minutes, significantly faster than current lithium-ion batteries.

3. What makes super capacitors different from lithium-ion batteries?
Unlike lithium-ion batteries that store energy chemically, super capacitors store energy electrostatically, allowing much faster charging and longer cycle life.

4. What is the energy density of the KISS super capacitor?
It achieves an energy density of 418 Wh/kg, nearly double the energy density of most commercial lithium-ion batteries.

5. How long do these super capacitors last compared to lithium-ion batteries?
They have a lifespan exceeding 100,000 charge-discharge cycles, far longer than lithium-ion batteries which typically last 1,000 to 2,000 cycles.

6. What applications can benefit from this technology?
Urban EVs, e-bikes, drones, robots, agricultural equipment, and other devices requiring rapid, frequent charging can benefit greatly from this super capacitor technology.

7. Is this technology already available commercially?
Currently, it is at the prototype stage with promising lab results. Commercial production and wide adoption are expected within the next few years.

8. How does the cost of this super capacitor compare to lithium-ion batteries?
Projected costs for KISS’s super capacitor could be as low as $50 per kWh at scale, potentially undercutting many lithium-ion battery prices.

9. What are the limitations of the super capacitor technology?
Challenges include scale-up manufacturing, volumetric energy density, supporting electronics complexity, and certification for automotive use.

10. Can this super capacitor fully replace lithium-ion batteries in EVs?
It could in the future, but hybrid systems combining both technologies might be more practical initially due to energy density and volume considerations.

11. How does the power output of the KISS super capacitor compare to lithium-ion batteries?
It can deliver power densities over 100 kW/kg, which is roughly 30-100 times higher than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

12. What impact could this technology have on EV charging infrastructure?
With charging times under 3 minutes, it could drastically reduce charging station demand and waiting times, potentially revolutionizing EV adoption worldwide.