Swiss energy big-hitter deploys Echion battery tech to make Li-ion roar

The cell provides integrators OEMs with a differentiated battery option that outperforms existing chemistries in heavy duty e-mobility, rail and marine applications.

Leclanché is set to replace its current LTO offering with XNO®, with a new set of battery module and pack solutions that sit alongside Leclanché’s G/NMC offering.

Leclanché carried out stringent product development and verification to produce a cell that is ready for market adoption. Commercially available now, XN50 delivers the benefits expected from the new XNO® anode chemistry including 50 per cent higher energy density vs. LTO technologies, fast charging and maintaining the highest cell safety and performance in extreme conditions.

The XN50 cell can also deliver high power over an estimated cycle life of more than 10,000 cycles when used in heavy-duty applications, with studies showing less than three per cent capacity loss and less than 15 per cent resistance growth after 1,000 2C/2C charge/discharge cycles at 45°C.

Leclanché’s unique water-based cathode formulation also ensures the XN50 cell electrodes are PFAS free, reducing its impact on the environment even further.

Pierre Blanc, Chief Executive Officer at Leclanché SA, said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the launch of the world’s first commercial XNO® Li-ion cell.

“XNO® is soon set to displace the use of LTO within our product line and it will complement our current G/NMC offering as the go-to fast charging battery solution for heavy-duty applications, and so we look forward to integrating XNO® into our innovative module and pack systems.”

Echion Technologies CEO, Jean de La Verpilliere, added: “Congratulations to the Leclanché teams. With XN50 they are setting a new standard for heavy-duty Li-ion batteries.

“We have witnessed their exceptional drive, hard work and expertise first-hand over the last three years. I am proud that Echion was able to support them in the development of this industry-leading cell, and now look forward to seeing XN50 in the field at scale, which will enable end-users to benefit from a battery specifically engineered for industrial and mass transportation applications, significantly enhancing their operations while reducing emissions.”

Echion is the world’s leading supplier of niobium-based active anode materials and won the Tech Scale-Up category of the recent Business Weekly Awards.