New Zeekr 007 EV charges from 10-80 per cent in just 10 mins

The 2025 Zeekr 007 will be capable of a 10-80 per cent top up that will take just 10.5 minutes thanks to its next-generation lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack.

Claiming the ultra-rapid charging was down to the use of both "optimised materials and improved technology", the in-house-developed powerpack is the first of a new breed of 5.5C specification batteries.

The 'C' is said to be an indicator of battery to charging capacity – at 1C an 80kWh battery can be topped up at 80kW, so the new Zeekr 5.5C means the LFP battery pack can be charged at the five and a half times the battery size to charging capacity which equates to more than 440kW.

More remarkable, the ultra-rapid charging is still capable even under harsh environmental conditions.

To prove it, during testing the upgraded batteries still recorded an impressive 30 minute 10-80 per cent charge at temperatures as low as -10C.

Announcing sales of the Zeekr 007 with the new batteries would begin as soon as next week in China, the new mid-size sedan is said to have a range of up to 688km on the more lenient Chinese CLTC test cycle, with up to 500km of range added in 15 minutes.

Sitting on its parent Geely's Sustainable electric Architecture (DSEA), the Zeekr 007 will be offered with rear- or all-wheel drive with power ranging from 310kW to up to 475kW.

While Zeekr is the first to offer 5.5C batteries, CATL, BYD and other Chinese battery makers have already announced that they will skip 5.5C to offer 6C batteries instead, with CATL claiming it will introduce its 6C Qilin battery packs before the end of 2024.

In Australia, Zeekr has just recently opened the order books for the Zeekr X compact SUV that is also based on the SEA platform, with more than 300 expressions of interests reportedly already taken.

It's not known what will follow the X SUV but it's thought the 009 minivan is likely after it received a positive response from potential customers who are in the market for an all-electric luxury people-mover.

Zeekr will kick off with about nine dealer locations and first deliveries in October 2024 as part of a partnership with Sydney SXSW.

Zeekr will cover its cars with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty. The high voltage battery pack is covered by a separate eight-year, 160,000km warranty.

Servicing is required every two years or 40,000km.

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