by New Charging Speed Record from Geely
The Chinese automaker Geely has announced a new technological breakthrough in the world of electric vehicles. According to the company, its latest batteries charge faster than the newest batteries from its main competitor BYD, which just a month ago impressed with record charging times.
Key facts about the new battery:
Technical Details and Comparison with Competitors
The Lynk and Co brand, owned by Geely, has introduced the 900V Energee Golden Brick battery. For comparison, BYD’s second-generation batteries with megawatt fast charging require about 5 minutes for the same jump from 10% to 70%.
Considering charging from 10% to 80%, the Geely battery manages it in 5 minutes and 32 seconds. Even filling from 10% to 97%, which usually happens slower due to the specifics of chemical processes, takes only 8 minutes and 42 seconds. BYD needs about 9 minutes for the same result.
According to BMW representatives, one must always be cautious with such claims. It is possible to optimize one specific performance indicator, but compromises will have to be made in other aspects.
The Secret of Speed and Existing Limitations
The high speed is achieved thanks to a combination of a 900V high-voltage system and powerful charging equipment. Peak charging power reaches approximately 1100 kW, with even at 75% charge the power being over 500 kW, and at 97% – 350 kW. This last figure is higher than the peak charging speed of most Western electric vehicles.
However, there is a significant “but.” Such incredible speeds are only possible when using specialized new-generation charging stations, of which there are currently extremely few. The Geely network is developing rapidly, but according to sources, it is approximately four times smaller than the BYD network. Therefore, while technological leadership may belong to Geely, the real advantage will go to whoever can build the appropriate infrastructure faster.
Skepticism from Other Manufacturers
Not everyone in the automotive industry welcomes the race for charging speed. BMW openly expresses doubts about the advisability of such a focus.
The company believes that excessive acceleration of the charging process inevitably leads to compromises in other key parameters, such as the overall longevity of the battery, its cost, and long-term operational stability. This is a kind of warning that there is no such thing as a free lunch in technology.
Progress in charging speed is undoubtedly changing the rules of the game for electric vehicles, bringing “refueling” time closer to that familiar for ICE vehicles. However, as practice shows, technology often outpaces infrastructure. The success of new developments will depend not only on laboratory records, but also on how quickly the necessary charging stations appear on highways and in cities. Simultaneously, the question of balance arises: are consumers ready for a potential reduction in battery lifespan in exchange for a few minutes of saved time? The future will show which approach – the speed-focused or the balanced one – will win market trust.
