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As Nepal’s electric vehicle (EV) market continues to expand at an unprecedented pace, battery technology has emerged as the single most decisive factor influencing performance, range, durability, cost, and overall user experience.

Battery is not just the power source of an EV - it is the heart of the vehicle.

In recent years, Nepal’s EV market has witnessed remarkable growth, with annual sales increasing by up to 180 percent and EVs accounting for nearly 75 percent of total automobile imports.

With more customers shifting from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric SUVs, interest in battery safety, lifespan, and charging efficiency has significantly increased.

According to Mr. Adhir Shrestha, Head of Sales at LRR Motors, the growing awareness among Nepali customers has made battery technology a central purchasing consideration.

LRR Motors is the official importer and distributor of Geely EX5 vehicles in Nepal in two variants – Pro and Max.

Global Breakthrough: New Short Blade EV Battery

On June 27, 2024, in Hangzhou, Geely Auto Group unveiled its latest-generation self-developed Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Short Blade EV Battery Technology. This innovation sets new global standards in safety, compact structure, higher energy density, superior volume utilization, flexibility in pack design, and ultra-fast charging capability.

The battery integrates high-strength, high-thermal-stability materials and Geely’s proprietary Self-Fusing technology. In the event of extreme impact or puncture, an internal aluminium foil layer fuses to form an insulating barrier, preventing short circuits and eliminating thermal runaway risks.

Geely has gone beyond industry norms by successfully completing an eight-needle simultaneous puncture test - where eight 5mm steel needles pierced the battery cell at once for one hour without smoke, fire, or explosion. Additionally, it passed a 5.8mm rifle bullet penetration test without thermal ignition.

The battery also underwent the industry’s first “Six Extremes” serial torture tests, including seawater immersion, extreme cold exposure, high-frequency underbody scraping, 26-ton overweight rolling, side collision, and fire roasting. In all cases, the battery demonstrated zero thermal runaway, combustion, or structural failure and thus is claimed to be the world’s first water-proof, fire-proof and bullet-proof.

1 million Kilometres and 50-Year Lifespan

Geely’s advanced multi-element doped electrode materials and reduced internal resistance enable the battery to achieve up to 3,500 charging cycles - equivalent to approximately one million kilometres of driving.

For an average family driving 20,000 km per year, this translates into an estimated service life of up to 50 years. This extended lifecycle enhances resale value while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

Superior Cold Climate Performance

The Short Blade battery maintains exceptional performance even in extreme temperatures. At -30°C, it retains 90.54% capacity, compared to 78.96% in conventional long blade batteries.

Tests further show that even at -25°C, efficiency exceeds 92%, and the battery can charge up to 90% in just 20 minutes without additional heating systems.

Power, Range and Charging in Geely EX5

The Geely EX5 features a 160-kW motor capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.9 seconds. Using an 11 kW AC charger, the battery charges from 10% to 100% in approximately 6 hours. With a 100 kW DC fast charger, it charges from 30% to 80% in just 20 minutes.

Mr. Shrestha states that the EX5’s battery performance, high range, and reduced charging time have made it a preferred choice among Nepali customers.

Designed for Nepal’s Terrain

Nepal’s challenging geography - with steep hills, gravel roads, and occasional flooding - often raises concerns about battery safety. However, the EX5 battery’s reinforced grid-frame design, three-layer bottom guard plate, and CTB (Cell-to-Body) integration provide superior protection against underbody impact.

The battery has been tested under heavy rolling loads and stone impact simulations without damage. Even prolonged seawater immersion showed no deterioration - making it particularly suitable for flood-prone regions.

With world-class safety credentials, extended lifespan, extreme temperature stability, and advanced structural integration, Geely’s Short Blade Battery Technology is positioning the EX5 as one of the safest and most durable electric SUVs available not only in Nepal but globally.