Thanks to the new 900 V architecture and the Golden Brick battery it is possible to recharge at very high power
Are electric car charging times too long? Development is making charging faster and faster, and China is providing a new example of how charging will be a snap. In short, you won’t even have time to grab a coffee and your energy will be complete. We’re not talking about laboratory tests, but rather what the new Zeekr 001 offers . Zeekr, remember, is a brand of the Geely Group that launched the 001 in 2021 , which has been refined several times over time. Now, a new update arrives that, among other things, introduces the new 900V architecture , making charging almost as fast as a traditional gas station. All of this, of course, provided you have the appropriate charging infrastructure .
ULTRAFAST 12C RECHARGE
The new Zeekr 001 is offered in several versions . First of all, there is the RWD model with a 370 kW motor powered by a 103 kWh CATL Qilin battery . The carmaker claims a range of 810 km (CLTC). This battery supports 6C charging and takes 10 minutes to go from 10% to 80% of the charge. 6C means that it would be possible to charge at a power up to six times the battery capacity. The car is also available in an AWD version with a dual motor with a total output of 680 kW . In this case, it is possible to choose between two batteries: the 103 kWh CATL Qilin for a range of 762 km (CLTC) or the 95 kWh Golden Brick Battery for a range of 710 km (also CLTC).
The Golden Brick Battery was developed directly by Zeekr and features LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) cells. The interesting thing is that the car manufacturer claims it can charge up to 12C , going from 10% to 80% in just 7 minutes . Impressive numbers considering it means being able to refuel at powers exceeding 1,000 kW.
AN ADEQUATE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE IS NEEDED
To exploit the enormous potential of the new Zeekr 001, however, adequate infrastructure is needed. In China, charging stations capable of 1,000 kW are starting to appear. Zeekr itself unveiled its new charging stations capable of reaching peak power of 1.2 MW in March 2025. In short, the time it takes to fill up a battery is continuing to shorten. Batteries are making progress and will continue to do so soon, and the infrastructure is also evolving.