[K-Tech] Samsung SDI battery powers electric vehicle to Guinness World Record

Lucid Motors Lucid Air Grand Touring model Courtesy of Lucid Motors — Lucid Motors' Lucid Air Grand Touring model/ Courtesy of Lucid Motors

SEOUL, August 7 (AJP) - A Samsung SDI battery-powered electric vehicle has secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records after achieving the world's longest single-charge driving distance.

Samsung SDI announced Thursday that Lucid Motors' Lucid Air Grand Touring model, equipped with the South Korean company's batteries, broke the previous world record during a single-charge driving test.

The vehicle traveled 1,205 kilometers (748.7 miles) without charging during tests conducted last month on highways, mountain roads, and side streets between St. Moritz, Switzerland, and Munich, Germany. This surpassed the previous record of 1,045 kilometers by about 160 kilometers.

The Air Grand Touring model houses 6,600 of Samsung SDI's 21700 cell cylindrical batteries, the batteries featuring nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cathodes and silicon-based anodes to deliver comparatively higher capacity, longer lifespan and rapid charging capabilities.

Samsung SDI and Lucid forged a strategic partnership in 2016, subsequently launching high-performance models including the Lucid Air Dream Edition.

"Having Samsung SDI's cylindrical batteries power the world's longest-range vehicle demonstrates our superior technology," a Samsung SDI official told AJP, adding that SDI is to cooperate further with Lucid Motors to expand global market share and accelerate the development of safe products.

Kim Dong-young davekim0807@ajupress.com