Tianjin Lishen Battery, the largest lithium battery company in China, is to establish a plant in Chongqing that will make lithium batteries for the city’s electric vehicle industry, according to a city government website. It is expected to go into production next year.

Chongqing LiFan Group and Tianjin Lishen Battery will jointly develop a type of lithium battery that can be charged more than 70 per cent in 15 minutes without affecting the battery’s life. Most fast-charge batteries can charge up at a similar rate but they have the effect of shortening battery life.