This Chinese electric car charges from 10% to 80% in just 7 minutes — a revolution that leaves Europe behind

Zeekr, part of the Geely Group, has achieved the unthinkable: recharging an electric car almost completely in the time it takes to drink a coffee.

Charging speeds in China are reaching astonishing new heights, and the best example comes from the Zeekr 001, a high-performance electric fastback that has just received a major update. The facelift not only improves its looks but also introduces ultra-fast charging technology, thanks to a new 900-volt platform that surpasses the standards currently seen in Europe or the United States.

From 0 to 80% in a record 7 minutes

The updated Zeekr 001 with a 95 kWh battery can charge from 10% to 80% in just seven minutes, adding 500 km of CLTC range (roughly 320 km under the stricter EPA cycle). This remarkable performance is made possible by its 12C charging system, capable of handling a maximum power of 1,140 kW – a figure far beyond what most charging networks outside Asia can offer. The secret lies in Zeekr’s in-house developed LFP “Golden Battery” technology, which has been years in the making.

The higher-spec version comes with a 103 kWh battery featuring CATL Qilin cells, extending range to 810 km, though charging speeds drop slightly (from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes). In terms of performance, this model hits 100 km/h in just 2.83 seconds, delivers 912 hp, and reaches a top speed of 280 km/h – making it one of the most powerful EVs on the planet.

China leads the new charging-speed race

The real challenge now isn’t the car – it’s the charging infrastructure. Zeekr is already developing 1.2 MW ultra-fast chargers and plans to roll out its own charging network this year. The announcement came shortly after BYD unveiled its own megawatt-level charging system, signaling a clear trend: the new EV arms race is no longer about range, but about charging speed.

Meanwhile, Europe and the United States are still catching up. In the U.S., chargers exceeding 350 kW remain rare, and even the new Lucid Gravity, one of America’s fastest-charging EVs, can only add 320 km in about 10 minutes. In Europe, models like the smart #5 now support up to 400 kW, but they still fall short of China’s latest technological benchmarks, where megawatt charging is already a reality.

Competitive pricing and global ambition

The new Zeekr 001 remains competitively priced in China, starting between 259,000 and 329,000 yuan (around €31,000 to €39,700) and is already available in select European markets from around €60,000. That’s a strong value proposition for a car that combines range, performance, and cutting-edge technology in one package that could redefine the future of electric mobility.

China hasn’t just accelerated the electric revolution – it’s taken it to the extreme. And one thing’s certain: the rest of the world will have to catch up fast, or simply watch their coffee cool down while Chinese EVs are already back on the road.