Cylindrical 21700 High-Power Cell
Molicel M50A
Cylindrical 21700 cell delivering 5 Ah capacity with 265 Wh/kg energy density and 15 A maximum discharge rate.
Overview
The Molicel M50A is a lithium-ion cylindrical 21700 cell designed for applications that demand reliable performance and competitive energy storage. Released in 2020 and with the manufacturer based in Taiwan, this cylindrical 21700 cell delivers 5 Ah capacity and 18.0 Wh of energy at a nominal voltage of 3.6 V, with a maximum continuous discharge capability of 15 A, making it well suited to energy-focused applications requiring extended runtime.
Key Features
High discharge rate: 15 A continuous (3.0 C)
Charging rate: 1.0 C charging rate
Energy density: 265 Wh/kg
Power density: 794 W/kg
Applications: aviation, motorsports, e-mobility
Technical Specifications from the Manufacturer
Parameter
Manufacturer
Molicel
Model
INR-21700-M50A
Type
Li-ion
Form factor
Cylindrical 21700
Country of origin
Taiwan
Release year
2020
Nominal voltage
3.6
Energy capacity [Wh]
18
Capacity [Ah]
5
Gravimetric energy density [Wh/kg]
265
Gravimetric power density [W/kg]
794
Max continuous discharge [A]
15
Volume [cm³]
25.59
Mass [g]
68
Positive electrode (cathode)
Ni-based
Negative electrode (anode)
Graphite
Value
Applications & Use‑Cases
The Molicel M50A is well suited to the following applications due to its cylindrical 21700 form factor and high power performance.
Aviation: Requires high specific energy for extended flight duration, high power-to-weight ratio for climb performance, and reliable operation across wide temperature ranges at altitude.
Motorsports: Demands sustained high discharge under competitive load profiles, rapid transient response for acceleration, and thermal stability to maintain performance during race conditions.
E-Mobility: Requires balanced energy and power density for range and acceleration, high cycle life for daily use, and robust calendar life to ensure long-term reliability.
General Applications: Suitable for applications requiring reliable lithium-ion performance with proven cycle life, consistent capacity delivery, and operational safety across diverse use cases.
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Performance & Model Data
Below are modelled performance metrics for the Molicel M50A across key indicators, including constant current behaviour, rate capability, temperature dependence, and available power under representative drive cycle conditions.
Constant Current Voltage
Access Molicel M50A constant-current discharge curves in Voltt to size your pack against the voltage window your system actually needs. (Chart shown is illustrative, not M50A data.)
Constant Current Temperature
Access Molicel M50A thermal discharge data in Voltt to specify cooling and cell spacing before you commit to a pack layout. (Chart shown is illustrative, not M50A data.)
Pulse Power Behaviour
Access Molicel M50A pulse power maps in Voltt to set peak current limits and parallel count for your worst-case load. (Chart shown is illustrative, not M50A data.)
Dynamic Profile Response
Access Molicel M50A mission profile simulations in Voltt to prove the pack holds up over a real duty cycle before you build it. (Chart shown is illustrative, not M50A data.)
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Case Studies
See how we helped McMurtry reduce cell evaluation time by 70% through data driven testing and modelling.
Motorsports
McMurtry Automotive: Faster cell evaluation
McMurtry Automotive used The Voltt and validated cell models to evaluate the transition from the Molicel P45B to P50B during early pack concept development.
Side by side modelling enabled rapid comparison of electrical and thermal behaviour, avoiding lengthy physical test campaigns. This approach reduced cell evaluation time by seven months, allowing the team to lock in cell selection and pack assumptions earlier while lowering technical risk and accelerating vehicle development.
Comparison with Related Cells
Compare the Molicel M50A with similar Cylindrical 21700 cells offering comparable capacity and performance characteristics.
Model
Capacity
Max Discharge
Typical Use
Access Cell Data
Manufacturer Background
Molicel
Molicel is a Taiwanese manufacturer of high-power cylindrical lithium-ion cells
Molicel is the cell brand of E-One Moli Energy, a Taiwanese manufacturer whose technology traces back to lithium battery research begun in Canada in the 1970s. The company produces cylindrical 18650 and 21700 cells engineered for high continuous discharge, fast charge acceptance and thermal stability under sustained load. Its P series power cells and higher-capacity energy variants are used in eVTOL aircraft, motorsport and performance vehicles, power tools and aerospace systems, where discharge rate rather than energy density sets the design limit. Manufacturing is based in Taiwan with a long-standing Canadian research presence. Molicel is the reference supplier for many programmes that cycle hard and frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capacity and voltage of the Molicel M50A?
The Molicel M50A has a nominal capacity of 5 Ah and a nominal voltage of 3.6 V, providing 18.0 Wh of energy per cell.
What is the maximum continuous discharge capability of the Molicel M50A?
The Molicel M50A supports continuous discharge rates up to 15 A, delivering a power density of 794 W/kg.
How much does the Molicel M50A weigh and what is its volume?
The cell has a mass of 68 g and a volume of 25.59 cm³.
In which industries is the Molicel M50A commonly used?
The Molicel M50A is used across aviation, motorsports, e-mobility, applications that demand high power delivery and reliable performance across demanding duty cycles.
What is The Voltt and how does it accelerate cell evaluation?
The Voltt holds 500+ verified commercial cell datasheets alongside validated simulation models built from cells characterised in About:Energy's own lab. Engineers screen candidates against their real duty cycle before buying hardware, which cut cell evaluation time by seven months for McMurtry Automotive and reduces evaluation cycles by up to 70%.
What data can be extracted using The Voltt?
Constant-current discharge curves at multiple C-rates, DC internal resistance against state of charge and temperature, pulse power maps, thermal response, and full mission-profile simulation with user-defined pack configurations. Models are available as equivalent circuit, thermal, physics-based and degradation formats, exportable for use in MATLAB, Simulink and Python workflows.
