Key Takeaways:
- The Lynk & Co 10+ electric sedan achieves a remarkable charging speed, replenishing its battery from 10% to 97% in under 9 minutes.
- Utilising a 900-volt architecture and a Shield Gold Brick battery, the vehicle boasts peak charging power exceeding 1.1 megawatts.
- This places the Geely-owned brand at the forefront of the escalating ‘charging arms race’ in China, rivalling pioneers like BYD.
- The advanced technology, demonstrated on Zeekr V4 ultra-fast chargers, highlights China’s rapid advancements in EV charging infrastructure.
- While raising questions about long-term battery health, this innovation signals a significant leap towards gasoline-like refuelling times for electric vehicles.
China’s EV Charging Race Intensifies as Lynk & Co 10+ Sets New Benchmark
In a significant development for the electric vehicle industry, the updated Lynk & Co 10+ electric sedan has showcased an extraordinary charging capability, demonstrating the ability to replenish nearly its entire battery in under nine minutes. This advancement underscores the escalating competition among Chinese automakers to achieve charging speeds comparable to traditional refuelling.
The Geely-owned brand’s latest offering boasts a sophisticated high-voltage architecture paired with an innovative battery pack, enabling it to accept charging power exceeding 1.1 megawatts. This positions the Lynk & Co 10+ at the cutting edge of ultra-fast charging technology, pushing the boundaries of what is currently available in the market.
Unprecedented Charging Performance
The Lynk & Co 10+ fast charging prowess is rooted in its 900-volt Shield Gold Brick battery. Test results released by the manufacturer illustrate its remarkable efficiency: the sedan can charge from 10% to 70% in a mere 4 minutes and 22 seconds. Extending this further, a 10% to 80% charge is completed in just 5 minutes and 32 seconds, maintaining an impressive average charging power of 492 kW.
Even more notably, the vehicle achieved a nearly full charge, reaching 97% from 10%, in a swift 8 minutes and 42 seconds. During this extended period, the average charging power settled at 272 kW. These figures represent a significant leap in convenience for electric vehicle users, drastically reducing downtime associated with charging.
This performance directly challenges benchmarks set by other industry leaders. For context, BYD, a pioneer in megawatt charging, requires 9 minutes to achieve a 97% charge from 10% in its latest vehicles, a statistic the Lynk & Co 10+ now surpasses.
The Technology Behind the Speed: 900-Volt Architecture
At the heart of the Lynk & Co 10+’s exceptional charging speed is its advanced 900-volt electrical architecture. This high-voltage system allows for greater power transfer with reduced current, leading to faster charging times and potentially improved efficiency.
The Shield Gold Brick battery pack, a crucial component in this setup, incorporates several innovations. These include advancements in cell cooling, which are vital for managing the immense heat generated during ultra-high-powered charging sessions. Effective thermal management is paramount to both the speed and safety of such rapid energy transfer.
The Lynk & Co 10+ is built on the Geely group’s modular SEA platform. This versatile architecture also underpins the Zeekr 001, which has also recently been upgraded to a 900-volt system, enabling it to achieve a 10-80% charging time of 7 minutes.
The Broader Context of Megawatt Charging and Industry Challenges
The rapid acceleration in charging capabilities, particularly in China, signals a new era for electric mobility. Automakers are increasingly focused on eliminating range anxiety and charging inconvenience, aiming to make EV ownership as seamless as possible.
However, the pursuit of megawatt-level charging also raises pertinent questions within the automotive community. Industry experts continue to discuss the long-term implications of such ultra-high-powered charging on battery degradation and overall lifespan. While immediate convenience is clear, the durability of batteries subjected to frequent, intense charging cycles remains a subject of ongoing research and development.
Despite these considerations, the advancements by Geely and BYD underscore a clear trend: China is rapidly outpacing other markets, including the United States, in terms of raw charging power and speed infrastructure development. This aggressive push is set to redefine expectations for EV performance globally.
The Role of Charging Infrastructure: Zeekr V4 Ultra-Fast Chargers
Achieving such blistering charging speeds is not solely dependent on the vehicle; a robust charging infrastructure is equally critical. The demonstration of the Lynk & Co 10+’s capabilities was carried out on a Zeekr V4 ultra-fast charger.
Zeekr, also part of the Geely group, officially rates its V4 chargers as capable of delivering up to 1.2 MW. Some reports even suggest these chargers can surpass this figure, indicating the immense power available within Geely’s growing charging ecosystem. Similar to BYD’s strategy, Geely is actively building out its own network of high-powered chargers to support its advanced EVs, although its network is currently smaller in scale.
It is important to note that factory charging demonstrations typically occur under ideal conditions, which may include optimal battery temperature and charger availability. While these results highlight the technological potential, real-world charging experiences for owners may vary depending on ambient conditions, charger availability, and battery state.
Range, Performance, and Market Outlook
Beyond its charging prowess, the Lynk & Co 10+ is a performance-oriented electric sedan. It is equipped with a battery capacity of approximately 100 kilowatt-hours, offering a claimed CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) range of 507 miles (816 km). It is crucial to remember that CLTC range figures are generally more city-biased and generous compared to EPA ratings typically used in Western markets.
The car’s performance extends to its driving dynamics, with Lynk & Co highlighting its track-honed handling. In its most powerful configuration, the 10+ boasts a peak power output of 912 horsepower and an electronically limited top speed of 149 mph (240 km/h).
Initially, the Lynk & Co 10+ is slated for launch exclusively in the Chinese market. However, with Lynk & Co already having a presence in Europe and BYD planning to introduce its megawatt ‘Flash’ chargers to the continent, Europe could soon become the next battleground for super-quick EV charging advancements, driven by these ambitious Chinese automakers.
FAQ Section
Q1: How quickly can the Lynk & Co 10+ charge its battery?
A1: The Lynk & Co 10+ can charge its 100 kWh battery from 10% to 70% in just 4 minutes and 22 seconds. It can achieve a nearly full charge, from 10% to 97%, in a remarkable 8 minutes and 42 seconds when connected to a compatible ultra-fast charger delivering over 1.1 megawatts of power.
Q2: What technology enables such rapid charging speeds in the Lynk & Co 10+?
A2: The rapid charging is facilitated by the vehicle’s 900-volt high-voltage electrical architecture and its innovative Shield Gold Brick battery pack. This battery incorporates advanced cell cooling technologies crucial for managing the heat generated during such powerful charging sessions, ensuring efficiency and safety.
Q3: What kind of charging infrastructure is required for the Lynk & Co 10+ fast charging?
A3: The Lynk & Co 10+ requires ultra-fast charging stations capable of delivering over 1.1 megawatts of power. The company demonstrated its charging capabilities using a Zeekr V4 ultra-fast charger, which is rated to deliver up to 1.2 MW, indicating the need for specialized high-power charging ecosystems.
Q4: How does the Lynk & Co 10+ compare to other fast-charging EVs, such as BYD?
A4: The Lynk & Co 10+ is highly competitive, surpassing BYD’s latest megawatt charging capabilities. While BYD’s systems require 9 minutes to reach 97% from 10%, the Lynk & Co 10+ achieves this in 8 minutes and 42 seconds, placing it at the forefront of rapid EV charging.
Q5: What is the estimated range of the Lynk & Co 10+?
A5: The Lynk & Co 10+ is equipped with a 100 kWh battery, offering a claimed CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) range of 507 miles (816 km). It’s important to note that CLTC figures are often more optimistic and city-biased compared to EPA ratings used in other regions.