Records fall for fast-charging new XPengs

The upgraded 2026 XPeng G6 and refreshed XPeng G9 SUVs will arrive in Australia with some of the world’s fastest charging speeds – but only if you can find a powerful enough DC charger.

In Europe, the Chinese brand has announced that the new XPeng G6 can be charged at a rate of up to 451kW, while the larger G9 can be topped up at an incredible 525kW. That means both are capable of a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in just 12 minutes, the figure down from 20 minutes, but only if you’re plugged into a next-gen 500kW ultrafast DC charger.

At those speeds not only do both rule the mid-size SUV class for super quick top-ups, but they also ensure both the G6 and G9s are some of the fastest-charging EVs in the world, with them capable of adding an astonishing 450km of range in under 10 minutes.

Set to arrive either late this year or early on in 2026, the XPeng G6 is already on sale in Australia and has earned a reputation for fast charging with its 280kW capability. However, the new rates mean even the fastest-charging Porsche (320kW) and other Chinese rivals like the new MG IM5 and MG IM6 (396kW) won’t be able to keep up.

Key to the ultrafast charging speeds is how XPeng has fitted both SUVs with its next-generation 5C Supercharging lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery tech. Combined with an 800-volt electrical system, both the G6 and G9 can cope with far higher charging rates than today’s batteries.

Another bonus of the new batteries is XPeng says they feature a more planet-friendly chemical composition that eliminates the need for both cobalt and nickel without compromising performance.

XPeng, which was only founded in 2014, had already detailed both the 2026 G6 and 2026 G9 but had not released full specs, other than to say even at temperatures of -30°C the batteries still only take 15 minutes to top up from 10 to 80 per cent.

The new batteries have also been revealed to be safer than current tech, with the battery pack able to withstand temperatures of up to 1000°C and a side impact equivalent to 80 tonnes of pressure.

The facelifted G6’s styling is dominated by a new full-width ‘Starlight Wing’ LED light bar that integrates the indicators, plus a new rear diffuser.

But it’s the SUV-coupe’s interior that has received the most attention from designers, with XPeng claiming the cabin is 60 per cent new.

The updates include the introduction of a pair of new heated and cooled massage seats with lumbar support, plus the adoption of a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster (up from 10.2 inches) and a wider 15.6-inch infotainment system (up from 14.9 inches), the latter benefitting from a much more powerful Qualcomm 8295 processor.

Other minor tweaks include a new pattern for the speaker shrouds, while the steering wheel has been redesigned with new capacitive buttons.

New tech within includes a digital rear-view mirror and trick ambient lighting. XPeng says it will also roll out AI-powered infotainment, plus upgraded driver-assist aids that could include a Level 3 (hands off, eyes off the road) autonomous cruise control.

While full details have yet to be announced for export markets, in China the G6 Standard Range 66-kilowatt-hour battery has been swapped out for a larger 68.5kWh lithium iron phosphate power pack that, as well as unlocking faster charging, returns an extra 45km of range (on the Chinese CLTC test cycle), suggesting an increase on the current car’s claimed 435km driving range.

The larger 87.5kWh battery, meanwhile, has been downsized to an 80.8kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery that drops the Long Range CLTC range by 25km, which should see a small fall on the current version’s ability to travel 570km.

Following the updates, the G6’s single motor produces 218kW and 440Nm – 28kW more for the Standard Range (torque remains unchanged) and 8kW more for the Long Range.

Performance for the rear-drive versions doesn’t change for the G6 Standard Range (which accelerates to 100km/h in 6.6 seconds), but the Long Range takes a brisker 5.9 seconds to hit 100km/h from rest – 0.3 seconds quicker than before.

There’s no word on what’s happened to the Performance 358kW/660Nm dual-motor version, but expect more power and for it to be part of the Australian lineup when the refreshed XPeng G6 is introduced later this year.

Arriving back in late October 2024 via distributor TrueEV, the XPeng G6 was priced from $54,800 plus on-road costs (ORCs) for the entry-level Standard Range.

Boosting its appeal further, the updated XPeng G6 will benefit from a 10-year local warranty (originally it was introduced on a promotional basis).

The XPeng G9, meanwhile, is already scheduled to be launched here later this year.

Headline news for the SUV wagon is the G9 gets a punchier 258kW/465Nm single e-motor and a dual-motor all-wheel-drive version with 423kW and 695Nm.

Chinese versions come with either a 79kWh or a 93.1kWh battery pack that provides a claimed range of 625 to 712km, depending on the version.

From launch the G9 should come with XPeng’s latest Turing AI intelligent driver-assist tech that is said to remove the need for a LiDAR binnacle – not that it lacks sensors.

The G9 still comes with 11 cameras, three millimetre-wave radars and 12 ultrasonic radars. Thanks to the greater processing power and new AI software, the G9’s visual perception distance has been increased by 125 per cent over the outgoing LiDAR-equipped G9.

A powerful on-board computer is claimed to recognise moving and stationary objects on the road ahead up to 40 per cent quicker than existing tech, buying more time to react.

Within, the G9 shares most of its in-car tech with the smaller G6, benefiting from the larger screens and faster processing times.

In China the 2026 XPeng G9 is priced from 263,900 Chinese yuan, which equates to around $A55,000.

Despite inviting buyers to register their interest on XPeng’s local website for the XPeng G9, exact timing for the G6 sibling has yet to be officially announced by local importer, TruEV.

Join the conversation at our Facebook page
Or email us at editor@carsales.com.au