Chinese automaker Zeekr claims to have developed the fastest charging EV battery in the World.
Zeekr has significantly upgraded its EV battery technology to support ultra-rapid 5.5C charging, which the company now says offers unparalleled charging speeds – beating major rivals such as Elon Musk’s Tesla.
The battery can charge from 10% to 80% in just a staggering 10.5 minutes, making it the fastest charging EV battery globally.
The battery innovation could prove pivotal in reducing range anxiety among motorists considering switching to EVs and increasing adoption of the technology.
Zeekr sets new EV charging speed record
Zeekr’s new 007 sedan set the new benchmark for charging speed, powered by advanced lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and utilising Zeekr V3 ultra-fast charging piles.
The optimised materials and upgraded technology used in these LFP batteries outperform the speed of existing nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries, showcasing a significant achievement by Zeekr’s in-house e-powertrain R&D team.
Stable and fast charging in harsh conditions
Equipped with an enhanced battery management system (BMS), the Zeekr 007 maintains stable and rapid charging performance even in challenging environmental conditions.
At temperatures as low as -10°C, the vehicle can charge from 10% to 80% state of charge (SOC) in just 30 minutes, ensuring a swift and reliable charging experience for users.
Expanding ultra-fast charging infrastructure
Zeekr has already established over 500 ultra-fast charging stations in China, with more than 2,700 charging piles that support 800V charging.
The company plans to expand this network to 1,000 stations by 2024, aiming to operate over 10,000 ultra-fast charging piles by 2026.
Why fast charging EV technology is essential
Fast charging EV batteries are crucial to increasing the adoption of EV technology for several reasons.
One of the primary barriers to widespread EV adoption is the time it takes to recharge a vehicle. Traditional charging methods can take hours, which is significantly longer than refuelling a gasoline vehicle.
Fast EV charging reduces this time to a matter of minutes, making EVs more convenient and practical for daily use, particularly for long-distance travel.
Additionally, the availability of fast-charging infrastructure addresses range anxiety, a common concern among potential EV buyers.
Knowing that they can quickly recharge their vehicles during trips increases consumer confidence in the reliability and practicality of EVs.
Moreover, fast charging supports the growth of EV fleets, such as those used by ride-sharing services or delivery companies, where minimising downtime is essential.
It also contributes to the broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging more drivers to switch from gasoline to electric vehicles.
Zeekr’s World’s fastest charging EV battery accomplishment represents a major milestone not just for the company but also for stimulating competition among battery manufacturers to advance battery technology.
