- 7x SUV is among the first EVs to receive Zeekr’s latest battery technology
- Quick charge can add over 300 miles of range in minutes
- Journalists have experienced the quick top-ups first hand
Zekr revealed details of his next generation’s ‘Golden Battery’ technology late in 2023 when it promised 500 km (about 310 miles) range in just 15 minutes.
Well, that battery technology is now mounted on its latest EV-Model-7X SUV and performance of its packages has surpassed expectations that have managed to charge from 10-80% in nine minutes 45 seconds.
Kyle Connor, hosting the YouTube channel out of spec reviews, recently got practical with 7x SUV, draining 75 kWh lithium-ion-phosphate (LFP) battery down to zero before peaking it from one of Zeekr’s internal house Public charging sites.
Outlet was rated for a hard 840 kW, which far eclipse 350-400 kW stations the rest of the world has only just begun to roll out.
A video from Connor shows 7X SUV that draws 200 kW at the very early stages of the charging session, and quickly rams 400 kW when the battery reaches 10% state-of-fees (SOC). Outlet then continues to hit a top of 460 kW before being smoothed to 400 kW for the rest of the session.
Overall, a full charge was indicated, taking the battery from 0-100% (something that most EV owners never do) indicated to take only 19 minutes.
Most EV owners understand that optimal charging occurs around the 20-80% area, where batteries can accept the fastest flow of electrons, and in this case the 10-80% charging was completed at approx. nine minutes and 45 seconds. It’s not too far away from refueling an equivalent gas car.
More important for customers, the ZEKR 7X SUV managed to add about 21 miles of range for every minute of charging, which is great news for those who just need to add some extra miles to get to their destination. Theoretically, only four minutes of charging would add almost 85 miles.
This is made possible by several things, the first of which is Zekr’s impressive fast charging network, as it says, is due to rolling out to other key markets, such as Australia, Thailand and other Asia/Pacific areas, according to Motor 1.
The other is the LFP battery technology itself, which, unlike most rivals, supports a 5.5 C rate. It is complex, but it essentially means that it can charge or print 5.5 times its total capacity per day. Hour without exploding.
Inside EVS says it performed its own tests on a Tesla Model S, which briefly charged at a highlight of 2.5 C for comparison.
To put together cases, most of Tesla’s current line-up (including the updated model Y) is limited to 250 kW charging speeds, despite the fact that the Tesla Supercharger network is now able to deliver up to 325 kW.
Analysis: Trade Stariffer could refuse the rest of the world this technique
Both Biden -Administration and President Trump have come down hard on Chinese EVs, introducing steep trade rares and even the prospect of a direct ban.
The United Kingdom and large parts of Europe have also introduced similar measures to smooth the rules of the game for its marking domestic car manufacturers.
But the fact is that China is simply lightweight ahead when it comes to battery and charging innovation. This latest demonstration of Zeekr’s charging skills hangs the time it takes to charge a Porsche Taycan, for example, which was already an impressive figure.
Of course, part of the puzzle develops a robust charging infrastructure that can handle this output level, but companies and ZEEKR as well as several other geely-owned brands have already said they will invest in infrastructure to ensure that customers get best experience.
For example, Zekr has already over 800 ultra -fast charging stations installed in China with plans to constantly expand this number in the coming months.
As Tesla continues to disappoint with a lack of clear future product development, while older car manufacturers remain indecisive over an EV future, American consumers want to rival products that can compete (and excerpt) where technology relates.
But with China denied a seat at the table, it looks like the rest of the world will be forced to wait.
