ZEEKR Intelligent Technology is a top-end subsidiary of Geely, competing directly against Nio and Tesla. Wikipedia says the ‘Z’ in the name acknowledges Generation Z, while the ‘eekr’ comes from ‘geek’. The latest ZEEKR car claims to have the world’s fastest-charging battery. We investigate this claim and reveal what we know.
New ZEEKR 007 Battery Electric Compact Car
The ZEEKR Model 007 is a compact executive sedan, with one or two electric motors according to Wikipedia. The basic model produces a combined 636 hp, and accelerates to 60 mph in under three seconds.
The more powerful of the two models has an 800-volt, high-voltage battery able to deliver a 380-mile driving-range after 15 minutes charging. We consulted BBC News for the latest information.
ZEEKR Announces Update at Auto Guangzhou show
ZEEKR announced an upgrade to the 007 model at the Auto Guangzhou show in July 2024. BBC News investigated what changed, and provided an update. We learned that the Chinese electric car maker, and spin-off from Geely has upgraded its batteries. Although exactly how it did so remains something of a mystery for now.
The company claims that its batteries now charge faster than Tesla, BYD, and the rest of the pack. Specifically, ZEEKR claims they charge from 10% to 80% capacity in ten-and-a-half minutes. Although we understand this is only possible at proprietary ZEEKR ultra fast charging battery stations.
What We Know From ZEEKR About Its Latest Car Batteries
The ZEEKR media release explains that its new lithium-ion-phosphate battery benefits from ‘ultra-fast charging piles’. And that its ‘optimized materials and upgraded technology’ are even faster than existing nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries.
And moreover, an ‘enhanced battery management system’ ensures the ‘vehicle’s charging experience remains stable and fast even in harsh environmental conditions’.
ZEEKR says it has opened over 500 ultra-fast charging stations in China, with more than 2,700 charging piles. All of these can support 800-volt charging, it affirms. The company plans to expand its network to 1,000 ultra-fast charging stations in 2024, and will be operating over 10,000 ultra-fast charging piles by 2026.
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