Tech Giants: Starting from Bankrupt Companies

58: Chapter 58: The Power Revolution, Setting SailJune 1, 2017, 9:00 AM.

The atmosphere in the main auditorium of the Spark Technology headquarters in Shenzhen was different from the enthusiasm seen at the Spark Electronics launch event a month ago; today, it was filled with a heavier, more significant sense of anticipation.

Sitting in the first ten rows were not ordinary tech enthusiasts, but the helmsmen of the global automotive industry—Geely Chairman Li Fu, Great Wall Chairman Wei Jian, Changan Chairman Zhu Hua, the General Manager of FAW Group, as well as executive teams from Volkswagen, Daimler, BMW, and Audi in Germany, global procurement heads from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan in Japan, and the Asia-Pacific presidents of Tesla, GM, and Ford from the United States.

The back rows and the second floor were packed with media reporters; cameras, photo cameras, and voice recorders from major global mainstream media, automotive professional media, and financial media were already prepared. The air was filled with low whispers in various languages, with English, German, Japanese, and Korean intermingled.

Everyone knew that what was to be released here today would determine the direction of the global automotive industry’s electrification process for the next five years.

The lights dimmed, and a line of concise and powerful Chinese characters appeared on the big screen: ”Power Revolution.”

Footsteps rang out steadily. Under the spotlight, a sturdy, resolute-looking middle-aged man stepped onto the stage. He wore a deep blue engineer-style jacket, no tie, and a silver badge of Spark Power pinned to his chest.

”Good morning, distinguished guests. I am Zhang Zhen, General Manager of Spark Power.”

His voice carried through the speakers across the entire auditorium, low and powerful, carrying the pragmatic feel unique to an engineer. The audience fell silent instantly.

”Today, there are many old friends here, and even more new ones. We come from different countries and represent different companies, but I believe we all share a common goal—to drive the automotive industry toward a cleaner, more efficient, and smarter future.”

Zhang Zhen’s opening was straightforward: ”So, here at Spark today, we won’t talk about distant dreams or grand narratives. We will only do one thing—show you what kind of ’heart, muscles, and nerves’ we have prepared for this future.”

He turned sideways, the screen switched, and three rotating 3D models appeared: a battery pack, another battery pack with a slightly different structure, and a set of precision motor and electronic control systems.

”These are today’s protagonists: the new generation of the three-electric system—the ’Divine Travel 2’ ternary lithium battery, the ’Bedrock 2’ lithium iron phosphate battery, and the ’Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System’.”

”First, it’s the ’heart’ that pursues ultimate performance—the Divine Travel 2.”

On the big screen, the cross-section of the silver battery pack unfolded, with the internal cells arranged extremely compactly; one could hardly see the gaps between traditional modules.

”We are using the third-generation CTP (Cell to Pack) technology to integrate cells directly into the battery pack, removing redundant structures.” Zhang Zhen gestured in the air, indicating the simplification of the structure, ”The result is: the system energy density reaches 210Wh/kg.”

A gasp of irrepressible shock rippled through the audience. This figure was more than 15% higher than the top ternary lithium batteries currently on the market.

The screen showed a comparison bar chart: Divine Travel 2 at 210Wh/kg, the industry top at 180-190 Wh/kg, and the previous generation Divine Travel 1 at 195Wh/kg. The gap was clear at a glance.

”High energy density is not achieved by sacrificing lifespan.” Zhang Zhen continued, ”After 1,500 full charge-discharge cycles, the capacity retention rate of the Divine Travel 2 remains above 80%. This means that even with one charge and discharge per day, it can work reliably for more than four years.”

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the car company executives in the audience: ”I know what you care about most—safety.”

The screen switched to play an acceleration animation: the battery pack was subjected to side compression and bottom scraping in the simulation, with internal pressure sensors monitoring in real-time, and the thermal insulation material between the cells clearly visible. ”We have designed a seven-layer safety protection system, including physical partitions, intelligent power-off, active cooling, pressure relief channels, and so on. More importantly...”

Zhang Zhen emphasized his tone: ”We redesigned the crystal structure of the cathode material and added self-healing additives to the electrolyte. At the material level, we have significantly reduced the risk of thermal runaway.”

He looked at the Germans in the center of the first row—the delegation from Volkswagen Group. ”I can responsibly say that the Divine Travel 2 has passed all safety tests in the latest revision of the European Union ECE R100.03, including the most rigorous side pole impact and thermal diffusion tests.”

Karl Müller, Senior Vice President of Volkswagen Group, nodded slightly and quickly took notes in his notebook.

”Next is the most reliable partner built for most people—the Bedrock 2.”

A dark gray battery pack appeared on the screen, looking structurally more robust.

”If Divine Travel is ’sharpness,’ then Bedrock is ’heaviness’.” Zhang Zhen’s tone became steady, ”With the lithium iron phosphate route, what we pursue is not the limit of energy density, but the ultimate in safety and longevity.”

The screen played a shocking test video: a steel nail pierced a fully charged Bedrock 2 battery pack at standard speed. The monitoring screen showed the voltage dropping steadily, the temperature rising by only 17 degrees Celsius, with no smoke and no fire. Then came the overcharge test: charging the battery to 150% of the standard voltage, with the protection system decisively cutting off the circuit at 125%.

”True safety is not passing tests by luck, but fundamentally eliminating danger.” Zhang Zhen’s voice was full of confidence, ”We have integrated millimeter-thick ceramic-based thermal insulation layers inside each cell, so even if a single cell fails, it will not spread. The system energy density is 145Wh/kg, which, although not as high as ternary lithium, is enough to meet the mainstream demand for a range of 400-600 kilometers.”

He threw out the most critical data: ”And its cycle life—after 2,000 full cycles, the capacity retention rate is still above 80%. Calculated at 200 charges per year, it can accompany a car for a full ten years.”

The eyes of many corporate representatives focused on economical electric vehicles and energy storage businesses lit up.

”Finally, the ’muscles and nerves’ that make all of this move—the ’Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System’.”

On the screen, the exploded view of the permanent magnet synchronous motor unfolded, each part shimmering with a metallic luster.

”The motor’s maximum efficiency is 96.7%, and in over 90% of the common operating range, the efficiency remains above 94%.” Zhang Zhen gestured to a wide plateau area with his hand, ”This means less energy waste and longer actual range.”

He presented another set of data: ”The peak power density reaches 5.2 kW/kg, with a maximum speed of 15,500 rpm. We can use smaller, lighter motors to output more powerful force. Taking the flagship version we developed for the Red Flag project as an example, a single motor has a peak power of 340kW and weighs only 72 kilograms.”

A murmur arose in the audience. This power-to-weight ratio had already exceeded most current high-performance motors.

”But what truly makes the ’Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System’ different is its ’brain’.” The screen switched to the electronic control system, a close-up of dense chips and sensors. ”Energy efficiency is 98.8%, with an all-climate operating temperature range of -25°C to 55°C, complying with ASIL-C functional safety standards. More importantly, it can monitor the status of over 260 key components, including the motor and battery, in real-time.”

A real-time simulation appeared on the big screen: a virtual car driving, with massive amounts of data scrolling beside it—the voltage and temperature of each cell, the current waveform of the motor windings, the junction temperature prediction of the IGBT module, and even the viscosity change of the lubricating oil in the gearbox could be estimated.

”This is not showing off.” Zhang Zhen said seriously, ”Based on this data, we can achieve predictive maintenance, personalized driving mode optimization, and most importantly—deep synergy with other vehicle systems (such as chassis and braking). It is no longer an isolated power unit, but the ’motion hub’ of an intelligent car.”

In the first row, Geely Chairman Li Fu turned his head and exchanged a few quick words in a low voice with the technical vice president beside him; both looked grave and excited.

Zhang Zhen concluded: ”This is the new generation three-electric system from Spark Power. Divine Travel 2, born for the ultimate; Bedrock 2, built for reliability; Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System, making everything intelligent and integrated. They are no longer just components, but complete, era-leading solutions.”

He stepped back and bowed slightly: ”My introduction ends here. Now, it is time for questions. I know you must have countless questions—about performance, safety, mass production, and even cooperation. We will answer everything.”

Dozens of hands shot up in the audience instantly. The host gestured to the press section on the right in the first row.

The first to stand was a middle-aged man with blonde hair and blue eyes, holding a microphone with the BBC logo.

”Mr. Zhang, I am Michael Stone, a reporter for BBC’s ’Global Tech’. The parameters you showcased are indeed impressive, but these are ultimately laboratory data. There have been too many precedents in the new energy vehicle industry where there is a huge gap between ’paper parameters’ and ’actual mass production’. Especially regarding the Divine Travel 2 with an energy density of up to 210Wh/kg, how do you ensure that it can maintain such performance and safety levels in the complex conditions of the real world—such as continuous high-speed driving, frequent fast charging, and different climatic environments? Do you have large-scale real-vehicle verification data?”

The question was sharp and professional, hitting the nail on the head. The entire audience’s eyes were fixed on Zhang Zhen.

Zhang Zhen did not answer immediately, but operated the remote in his hand. The large screen switched to show a map of China, densely covered with over a hundred light spots.

”Mr. Stone asks a good question. These are the driving tracks of the test fleet equipped with the Divine Travel 2 prototype system over the past 18 months.” The map began to play dynamically, with the light spots moving across the country, ”A total of 217 test vehicles, covering different platforms such as sedans, SUVs, MPVs, and even light commercial vehicles, with a cumulative mileage...”

He paused, waiting for the number to appear: ”1.28 million kilometers.”

A gasp of amazement rippled through the audience.

”These tests covered almost all typical environments in China.” Zhang Zhen clicked again, and the screen displayed a split-screen view: the vehicle starting in the extreme cold of -35 degrees Celsius in Mohe, Heilongjiang; continuously climbing slopes in the 50-degree heat of Turpan, Xinjiang; driving on mountain roads at an altitude of 4,500 meters on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; and undergoing corrosion testing in the humid salt spray environment of Hainan.

”All test vehicles were equipped with over 500 data collection points.” Zhang Zhen brought up a set of curve charts, ”These are 20 randomly selected test vehicles, showing the voltage difference between cells in their battery packs as mileage increases. As you can see, even after the most rigorous tests, the cell consistency remains above 95%.”

He then switched to a table: ”Regarding the risk of thermal runaway—during the 1.28 million kilometers of testing, there were 3 cases of structural damage to the battery pack caused by severe external accidents, but none triggered thermal propagation. Our seven-layer protection system functioned exactly as designed.”

Zhang Zhen looked at the BBC reporter with a frank expression: ”We knew from day one that perfect laboratory data is just the starting point. The real test is in the real world. These 1.28 million kilometers, along with the more than 20TB of test data behind them, are our answer. The Divine Travel 2 is not just ’paper parameters,’ but a refined, mature product.”

Michael Stone nodded and made quick notes in his notebook as he sat down.

The second hand went up; it was Wang Lin, the chief reporter of ”Caijing” magazine.

”Hello, Mr. Zhang. The data is very convincing, but the business world is more concerned about production capacity. I noticed that representatives from almost all global mainstream automakers are sitting in the audience today, and your company also has deep cooperation projects like Red Flag. Can Spark Power’s current production capacity plan support such massive potential demand? If multiple automakers purchase on a large scale simultaneously, can supply keep up? Will there be a situation where ’parameters are leading but you can’t buy it?”

This question was equally pragmatic, touching on the core of commercial implementation.

Zhang Zhen smiled: ”Reporter Wang Lin’s question is very practical. Please look behind me.”

The large screen switched to a map of China, with four locations highlighted: Ninghang in the Yangtze River Delta, Guancheng in the Pearl River Delta, Yuzhou in the Southwest, and Jingang in North China. Each point was marked with a large aerial view of a factory.

”Spark Power has four super factories. Among them, Ninghang Phase I and Guancheng Phases I and II are already fully operational, the Yuzhou factory will start production next month, and the Jingang factory will be completed by the end of the year.” Zhang Zhen zoomed in on the interior of the factories—highly automated production lines, robotic arms assembling with precision, AGV carts transporting in an orderly manner, with almost no workers in sight.

”By the end of this year, our total production capacity will reach 250GWh.” He deliberately slowed his speech to let the number clearly reach everyone’s ears.

There was a noticeable commotion in the audience. What is the concept of 250GWh? It is enough to provide batteries for 4.5 million electric vehicles with a range of 500 kilometers. This is almost two-thirds of the total global power battery demand expected in 2017.

”Moreover, our production lines adopt a modular and flexible design.” Zhang Zhen added, ”The same production line can switch to produce Divine Travel 2 or Bedrock 2 within two hours, and can adapt to different sizes and specifications of cell packaging. We not only have sufficient production capacity but also flexible response.”

He looked at the automaker representatives in the audience: ”I can promise here that Spark Power has the ability and determination to meet the needs of all partners—whether you want one hundred thousand sets or one million sets.”

Wang Lin sat down satisfied; she had already obtained the news angle she wanted.

The third person to ask a question was Sato Ken, a reporter for ”Nikkei Technology”.

”Mr. Zhang, I am Sato. The extreme safety testing and all-climate temperature control capabilities you demonstrated are amazing. But a car is a highly complex system. As the ’brain’, the reliability of the electric control system depends not only on itself but also on its synergy with hundreds of other ECUs in the vehicle. Does the ASIL-C certification of the Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System cover all these interaction scenarios? In extremely complex road conditions—such as continuous curves, emergency lane changes, and slippery roads—can the electric control system guarantee the precision, smoothness, and safety of power output?”

This question went deep into the deep water of system integration. Many technical executives of automakers sat up straight, wanting to hear how Zhang Zhen would answer.

Zhang Zhen did not answer directly, but said: ”Mr. Sato, please watch a video first.”

A video of actual test footage began to play on the large screen. On a professional test track, a vehicle was continuously performing emergency lane changes, slalom, and high-speed cornering. A corner of the screen displayed the vehicle’s dynamic data: steering wheel angle, yaw rate, torque distribution for each wheel...

”This is a test vehicle equipped with the complete Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System.” Zhang Zhen explained, ”Watch the curve of power output.”

The screen focused on the real-time data stream of the electric control system: the output of motor torque was not a simple linear response, but a millisecond-level fine adjustment based on vehicle posture, road adhesion coefficient, and even the driver’s slight corrections to the steering wheel.

”Traditional electric control systems are more like an ’obedient executor’—you give how much throttle, I give how much power.” Zhang Zhen used a metaphor, ”And the Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System is a ’thinking partner’. It obtains real-time data from the ESP body stability system, EPS electric steering, and even cameras and radar through the vehicle’s CAN network.”

He pulled up a complex algorithm block diagram: ”We have developed a unique ’Vehicle Dynamic Synergy Algorithm’. For example: when the vehicle makes a sharp turn on a slippery road, the system will not only adjust torque based on the wheel speed difference, but also predict potential understeer or oversteer of the vehicle, and proactively and slightly adjust the power distribution between the front and rear axles—this adjustment is almost imperceptible to the driver, but it makes the vehicle more stable and safer.”

Zhang Zhen looked at Sato and all the technically-minded listeners in the audience: ”You asked if ASIL-C covers interaction scenarios—yes, it does. Our functional safety analysis is not only aimed at the electric control system itself but also covers all key interfaces between it and other safety-related systems in the vehicle (such as braking and steering). We have cooperated with Germany’s TÜV Rheinland to complete over 3,000 fault injection tests, ensuring that the system can enter a safe state in any single or even multi-point failure situation.”

He concluded finally: ”The Qingtian 2 Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor and Control System is not an isolated ’brain’, but a ’smart hub’ integrated into the vehicle’s neural network. Its goal is to make the driving experience of electric vehicles not only better than fuel cars but also smarter and safer.”

Sato Ken bowed deeply and sat down, his expression solemn.