Zeekr launches new 007 model year this month with 5.5C battery
Zeekr writes that the improved prismatic lithium iron phosphate cells make it possible to charge the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in 10.5 minutes. This time has been demonstrated with a new 007 saloon at a V3 charging station from Zeekr. The manufacturer attributes the faster charging rate to “optimised materials and improved technology”, which was achieved in the in-house research and development department. Zeekr also cites an improved battery management system, which is designed to keep the charging process relatively fast even under harsh environmental conditions. At temperatures as low as -10 degrees, the battery should take 30 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent.
The ‘C’ in Zeekr’s 5.5 C specification is an indicator of the ratio of battery size to charging capacity. At 1C, an 80 kWh battery can be charged with a maximum of 80 kW. At 5.5 C, the same battery can theoretically be charged with five and a half times the charging capacity: up to 440 kW. The first Chinese electric vehicles are currently being offered with 5C batteries, such as the Li Mega from Li Auto or the current version of the Zeekr 001. According to the latest Chinese media reports, CATL, BYD and Eve Energy are already working on 6C batteries, with CATL planning to launch a new generation of its Qilin battery with a charging rate of 6C in the second half of 2024.
Zeekr is said to be planning seven new BEV models by 2026. Specifically, in addition to a minivan called the Zeekr Mix and the estate version of the Zeekr 007, the company plans to launch another minivan and four electric SUV crossovers. This emerged from a leaked slide from a Deutsche Bank presentation in June.
The brand is also active in the fast-charging market in order to provide its 5.5C batteries with a correspondingly powerful infrastructure. According to its own information, Zeekr currently operates a good 500 locations in China with more than 2,700 charging points, all of which support 800 volts. The network is to be expanded to 1,000 locations by 2024. Zeekr is aiming for over 10,000 charging points by 2026.
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