Charging as fast as filling up a tank… on paper

In China, electric vehicle manufacturers seem to be engaged in a true race of excess regarding fast charging.

The latest feat: the Zeekr 001, a subsidiary of the Geely group, capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just 7 minutes. Impressive on paper, spectacular in brochures… and completely unrealistic for most drivers.

Thanks to a voltage increased to 900 volts and a proprietary Golden Battery, the small 95 kWh can theoretically absorb 1,140 kW of power. The larger 103 kWh battery, on the other hand, charges from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes and promises an additional 570 km. The numbers are dizzying. The most powerful model develops 912 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 3 seconds. In short, it is the EV of your dreams… if you had access to a charging station capable of keeping up.

And where do we recharge…?

In reality, these megawatts of power are as useful as Monopoly bills. In Europe, most charging stations max out at 400 kW. In other words, you can already admire your new toy, but you’ll need to be patient to see it shine at full speed. Maybe manufacturers should take a look at infrastructure before publishing these crazy figures, just to avoid leading us to dream… for nothing.

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• 06/10/2025 10:38

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The Zeekr 001, available from €60,000 in Europe, remains an attractive vehicle, with impressive performance and range. But for now, the promise of a full charge in seven minutes remains a high-tech fantasy: brilliant, futuristic… and terribly frustrating for the average driver.

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