Zeekr says it has the fastest-charging battery

Zeekr, a Geely subbrand, reckons its new electric vehicle (EV) batteries charge faster than any of the competition. That includes Tesla and BYD.

The firm claims its upgraded LFP 800v batteries can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 10.5min using its ultra-fast charging stations. That about twice as fast as the opposition.

The 2025 007 sedan will be its first vehicle to have the new Zeekr battery pack. Evidently it also performs well in cold weather, charging from 10 to 80 per cent in less than half an hour. And that’s at temperatures as low as -10C, the company claims.

Tu Le, firm Sino Auto Insights told the BBC recently “These bold claims by Zeekr are believable, but more importantly even if it’s not the fastest charging EV battery, being one for the fastest is still quite a leap for them”.

Mark Rainford, a China-based car industry commentator said “The competition in China is incredibly fierce and while brands like BYD prioritise scale and sales, brands like Zeekr, Li [Auto] and Nio are focused on maximising the charging experience. 

“Zeekr’s parent company, Geely, is pretty much a vertically integrated business… they have the resources to do this,” he added. Geely owns several brands, including Lotus and Volvo.

In May, Zeekr’s shares started trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the first major US market debut by a Chinese company since 2021. The listing came just days before the Biden administration announced major tariff hikes on Chinese-made electric cars, solar panels, steel and other goods.