The issue of charging speeds has long been a concern for those considering a switch from gas-powered vehicles to electric ones.
While the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles in the United States has improved over the years and is set to get even better with more manufacturers gaining access to the Tesla Supercharger network, the country still lags behind China in this aspect.
Chinese EV charging capabilities exceed 500 kW
In the U.S., most DC fast chargers available for EVs can deliver between 150 and 250 kilowatts, which is decent. However, the new Zeekr 001 with its 500+ kW charging capacity highlights the significant lead China has in the EV industry.
For example, consider the updated Zeekr 001 shooting brake. While it’s advertised as a new model, it may appear quite similar to the previous one upon first glance.
The Zeekr 001 has been significantly upgraded with a new CATL-sourced Shenxing battery, improved advanced driver assistance systems, and a new 800-volt architecture leading to a slight increase in wheelbase length.
However, the standout feature of the new battery is its impressive charging capabilities. The Shenxing battery, with a 95 kWh capacity, charged from 10% to 80% in just 11 minutes and 28 seconds in a test conducted by Zeekr.
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After just five minutes of charging, the range increased by 164 miles, based on the forgiving CLTC testing procedure.
This percentage change translated to a range gain of nearly 294 miles. The CATL Shenxing battery’s peak charging speed was an impressive 546.4 kW during the test, connected to a 600 kW Zeekr V3 fast charger.
According to CarNewsChina, the CATL Shenxing battery features temperature control technology to maintain high charging speeds, even in cold conditions, claiming it can recharge to 80% in under 30 minutes at 14°F.
The Zeekr 001 achieved 546.4 kW charging speed in a parking garage with a temperature of 78.8°F. The new lithium iron phosphate (LFP) CATL Shenxing battery is exclusive to the all-wheel-drive variant of the 001, while other trims utilize a conventional nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) 100-kWh CATL battery.
Notably, the Li Auto Mega minivan from China drew attention earlier this year for its fast-charging capability, reaching up to 521.2 kW and adding 310 miles of range in 10 minutes.
In the U.S., the Hyundai Ioniq 6 leads in terms of miles of range added per hour on fast charging, with a rate of 868 miles/hour according to Edmunds. The GMC Hummer EV and Chevrolet Silverado EV hold the crown for their 350-kW charging rate.