ZEEKR launches in-house developed super-fast-charging LEP battery “Gold Brick”

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 14, Zeekr Intelligent Technology, the company behind Geely's premium electric vehicle brand ZEEKR, officially launched its in-house developed power battery, the Gold Brick (dubbed "Jin Zhuan" in Chinese Pinyin) Battery, which the company claimed as the world's first mass-produced 800V super-fast-charging LFP battery.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

The innovative power battery has already gone into volume production, and is set to be first installed onto the ZEEKR 007, which will hit the market on December 27.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

According to ZEEKR, the Gold Brick Battery is recognized for its unparalleled charging speed, credited to the all-domain 800V architecture and matching 800V ultra-fast charging technology. With a maximum charging power of 500kW and a peak charging rate of 4.5C, the Gold Brick Battery achieves a remarkable 500km+ range increase in just 15 minutes within the 10% to 80% fast-charging interval. Breaking free from the constraints of traditional LFP batteries, it boasts a volume utilization rate as high as 83.7%. Additionally, the Gold Brick Battery incorporates eight advanced thermal safety protection technologies, ensuring comprehensive real-time protection for the entire battery pack.

In tandem with the product launch, ZEEKR unveiled its latest power replenishment strategy, aiming to enhance its 800V ultra-fast charging network from the perspectives of layout, technology, and user experience.

As of November 30, 2023, ZEEKR has successfully established 401 ultra-fast charging stations covering 100 cities nationwide, offering 2,261 ultra-fast charging piles with each pile boasting a charging power exceeding 360 kW. By 2024, ZEEKR anticipates the total number of ultra-fast charging stations to reach 1,000, with a further projection of 10,000 piles by 2026, realizing the ambitious "thousand stations, ten thousand charging piles" plan.

One year prior to this event, ZEEKR strategically laid the foundation for its 600kW liquid-cooled charging pile, the V2. In September of this year, ZEEKR officially unveiled the V3 charging pile, which the company said boasts the world's highest single-gun output power. The intelligent power-sharing technology, a standard feature at ZEEKR's ultra-fast charging stations, dynamically allocates power based on the charging needs of each vehicle, maximizing the utilization of the power pool.

Furthermore, ZEEKR adopts a cabinet integration output method, connecting scattered surplus power from transformers around the station to multiple power cabinets. This approach mitigates the siting constraints of high-power ultra-fast charging stations. The V3 charging station also offers flexibility by incorporating energy storage modules, allowing for energy storage during periods of low electricity demand and releasing stored energy during peak hours, thereby alleviating stress on the power grid.

In addition, focusing on user scenarios, ZEEKR starts with fundamental vehicle owner data and employs a big data intelligent site selection model. Through a precise and intelligent site selection strategy, ZEEKR aims to create the "1515 Convenient Charging" experience for users: locating a station within 15 minutes and completing a charge in 15 minutes, making charging as convenient as a visit to a convenience store. Over the next three years, "1515 Convenient Charging" is expected to cover over 90% of ZEEKR vehicle owners and approach near-universal coverage.

For inter-city travel, ZEEKR has partnered with 35 domestic public charging facility operators, with over 610,000 third-party charging guns integrated into the ZEEKR charging map.

To further enhance users' energy replenishment experience, ZEEKR's intelligent charging mode seamlessly integrates the entire charging process into the in-car system. Starting from finding a station to completing the charging process, functions such as battery preheating, intelligent spot finding, and smart unlocking are fully operational with the release of OS 5.1 and subsequent OTA updates.