BEIJING - A Chinese rival to Tesla has claimed to have developed the world’s fastest-charging electric car battery.

Zeekr, a Chinese manufacturer backed by Volvo-owner Geely, said the new batteries for its 007 sedan could go from a 10pc to 80pc charge in 10 and a half minutes.

That is compared to Elon Musk’s Tesla, which says its Model 3 batteries can add 44pc of charge in 15 minutes.

Upgrades to battery technology should help ease so-called range anxiety among motorists – which has been one of the biggest factors preventing drivers switching from petrol and diesel to electric.

Zeekr is one of a number of fast-growing Chinese start-ups expanding aggressively across the US and Europe, with plans to launch its cars in the UK next year.

The carmaker’s new batteries are produced using cathodes made of lithium iron phosphate.

This technology can charge much more rapidly than current EV batteries, which typically rely on a mix of elements such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese.

China holds a near monopoly on the development of lithium iron phosphate batteries, although the technology is used by US carmakers such as Tesla.

To hit its peak charging time, Zeekr said its cars needed to be connected to one of its rapid power ports.

The company has already opened 500 charging stations in China, with plans to reach 1,000 by later this year.

The improved battery technology comes as EV sales stall across the Western world.

Overall, global EV sales grew by 20pc to hit around 7m sales in the first half of 2024, according to data from analysts at Rho Motion.

However, that growth was largely driven by China, as sales in Europe and the UK increased by just 1pc.

Electric car sales in Germany, Europe’s biggest car market, fell by 37pc in July, according to government data.

Charles Lester, an analyst at Rho Motion, said: “The overall picture is that 2024 is not going to see the ambitious growth some may have hoped for in the industry.”

Chinese EV makers including Zeekr and BYD are investing heavily in Europe, prompting a trade war between Beijing and Brussels as new arrivals threaten to undercut traditional Western car companies.

 

 

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