Chinese automaker Zeekr says the batteries of its new electric vehicles (EVs) charge faster than those of all its competitors, including industry leader Tesla.
The company says the improved batteries can be charged from 10% to 80% of their capacity in 10.5 minutes using the ultra-fast charging stations.
For comparison: With a 15-minute charge, Elon Musk’s Model 3 at Tesla can travel 282 kilometers, just under half the car’s total range.
Zeekr’s 2025 007 sedan, which will be available starting next week, will be the company’s first vehicle to feature the new battery.
“Tesla’s charging technology is no longer industry-leading and hasn’t been for some time,” said Tu Le, founder and CEO of consulting firm Sino Auto Insights.
“These bold claims from Zeekr are credible, but more importantly, even if it’s not the fastest charging EV battery, it’s still quite a leap for them to be among the fastest.”
The battery also works well in cold weather, charging from 10% to 80% of its capacity in less than half an hour at temperatures as low as -10°C. the company says.
BBC News has contacted major electric car manufacturers Tesla and BYD and asked for comment on Zeekr’s announcement.
Zeekr is owned by Chinese auto giant Geely, which also owns British luxury sports car brand Lotus and Swedish brand Volvo.
In May, Zeekr’s shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange, marking the first major U.S. market entry by a Chinese company since 2021.
The shares are currently trading 27% below the price set at the initial public offering (IPO).
The listing came just days before the Biden administration announced massive tariff increases on Chinese-made electric cars, solar panels, steel and other goods.
The White House said The measures, which included a 100 percent border tax on electric vehicles from China, were a response to unfair policies and were intended to protect jobs in the United States.
Official bodies in the US, the European Union and other major auto markets are increasingly concerned about the rapid expansion of Chinese electric vehicle companies abroad.
