Shell-FAW immersion-cooled semi truck batteries clear certification — SkimNews
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- Shell and FAW co-developed an immersion-cooled battery pack for the Starship 3.0 concept electric semi truck, surrounding cells in an electrically insulating fluid to improve heat management, range performance, and durability
- Initial vehicle tests showed up to 98% higher maximum gradability (hill-climbing under load), 0.8% better energy efficiency, and potential for up to 32% longer battery life versus conventional EV battery cooling
- The battery pack has completed industry-standard on-road certification testing and is now undergoing FAW validation under demanding commercial conditions including sustained high-power charging and rapid discharging
- Wang Jianyu, President of FAW's Commercial Vehicle Development Institute, framed thermal management as increasingly critical as commercial vehicles demand higher power, greater efficiency, and faster charging
- Shell and FAW will showcase the Starship Hybrid concept and immersion battery samples at the FAW TRUCKS booth during IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany
Why it matters: If the 98% gradability gain and 32% battery-life extension hold up in commercial fleets, the technology directly attacks two of electric semis' biggest weak points — range loss on steep grades and battery degradation under heavy-duty cycles — giving FAW's commercial buyers a measurable uptime and payload-cost edge.
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