Chinese automaker Zeekr says its new electric vehicle (EV) batteries charge faster than any of its competitors, including industry leader Tesla.
The company says its advanced batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% capacity in 10 and a half minutes using its super-fast charging stations.
By comparison, Elon Musk’s Tesla says a 15-minute charge allows its Model 3 to cover 175 miles (282km), a little less than half the car’s full range.
Zeekr’s 2025 007 car, which will be available from next week, will be its first car to have the new battery.
“Tesla’s charging technology is no longer industry leading and has been for a long time,” said Tu Le, founder and managing director of consulting firm Sino Auto Insights.
“These bold claims by Zeekr are believable, but the most important thing is that even if it’s not the fastest EV battery, being the fastest is still jumping on them”.
The battery works well even when charging in cold weather from 10% to 80% of its capacity in less than half an hour at temperatures as low as -10C, the company says.
BBC News contacted major EV manufacturers Tesla and BYD for a response to Zeekr’s announcement.
Zeekr is owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, which also owns the UK’s Lotus and Sweden’s Volvo.
In May, Zeekr’s shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the first major US market listing by the Chinese company since 2021.
Shares are currently trading 27% below their initial public offering (IPO) price.
The listing came just days before the Biden administration announced major tariff increases on Chinese-made electric vehicles, solar panels, steel and other goods.
The White House said The measures, which include a 100% border tax on EVs from China, were a response to unfair policies and aimed to protect US jobs.
Officials in the US, European Union and other major auto markets have become increasingly concerned about the rapid overseas growth of Chinese EV companies.
Source link
