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Zeekr, a China-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has claimed the title of having the “world’s fastest-charging” EV battery with its latest battery pack that supports a rapid 5.5C charging rate. This breakthrough technology promises to significantly reduce charging times, positioning Zeekr at the forefront of the EV industry’s innovation race.
The newly unveiled battery pack enables an electric vehicle to charge from 10 to 80 percent in just 10.5 minutes. This impressive performance will debut in Zeekr’s upcoming sedan, model 007. Zeekr, a subsidiary of the Geely Holding Group, which also owns Lotus, a UK-based luxury sports car brand, and the famed Swedish brand Volvo, is making significant strides in the competitive EV market. Zeekr began delivering its different vehicles. The company is focusing on enhancing the customer charging experience—a crucial factor in EV adoption.
As stated by the company, the new battery pack utilizes lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology, diverging from the conventional nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries commonly used in EVs. Zeekr’s R&D team developed version three of its ultra-fast charging piles, which, combined with the new battery pack, achieve remarkable charging speeds. The battery management system (BMS) ensures that charging stays stable even in challenging conditions.
Zeekr’s battery performs exceptionally well even under extreme temperatures, capable of charging from 10 to 80 percent in 30 minutes at ambient temperatures as low as -10°C. To support this rapid charging, Zeekr currently operates 500 ultra-fast charging stations among its 2,700 charging piles in China, with plans to double this number within the year and expand to 10,000 by 2026.
As the global EV market becomes increasingly competitive, Zeekr’s advancements address range anxiety—a significant concern for EV buyers. While US-based Tesla offers a 15-minute charging option for its Model 3, Zeekr’s ability to achieve 80 percent charge in nearly 10 minutes marks a substantial improvement, according to Interesting Engineering.
Despite wanting international expansion, US government-placed taxes of 100 percent on Chinese-made EVs make it difficult for Zeekr to achieve a competitive price in the US market. The company’s rapid-charging technology could, however, provide a significant competitive edge as it seeks to enter new global markets.
