Chinese Automaker Achieves Sub-5-Minute EV Charging Milestone
Geely Auto Group utilizes AI and advanced cooling to significantly reduce electric vehicle charging times.
Geely Auto Group, the Chinese owner of Volvo, has announced a breakthrough in electric vehicle charging technology, achieving charging times under five minutes. The company's AI-powered system enables its EV batteries to charge from 10% to 70% capacity in just four minutes and 30 seconds, surpassing previous records by 30 seconds.
AI-Driven Charging Optimization
The innovative system, dubbed Geely Smart Charging, relies on an AI model named Xingrui PowerMind, a joint development between Geely Auto Group and StepFun. This AI actively predicts battery temperatures up to 30 seconds in advance and dynamically adjusts charging power to manage heat. The goal is to maintain an average charging temperature below 55°C, with peak temperatures capped at 65°C.
To support this, Geely has implemented a five-point liquid-cooling system that manages heat across the entire charging chain, from the charging station's energy storage battery to the vehicle's battery pack.
Real-World Performance and Battery Longevity
Tests conducted on the Lynk & Co 10 and Zeekr 001 models demonstrated the system's capabilities. Both vehicles achieved the 10% to 70% charge in under five minutes. Charging to 97% took eight minutes and 40 seconds.
Beyond speed, Geely claims the system enhances battery longevity. It creates customized charging strategies for each vehicle and battery, adjusting peak current, cooling intensity, and charging duration. Additionally, the system incorporates 'lithium-ion pulse restoration technology,' which uses micro-pulse currents to reactivate lithium ions that can accumulate during repeated fast charging. Geely reports this technology can increase battery cycle life by 20%.
Competitive Landscape
This development follows recent advancements from Geely's rival, BYD, which announced plans to install 300 high-power 'flash chargers' in the UK by the end of the year, with an additional 300 by 2027. These BYD chargers are designed to deliver 1.5 MW of power, significantly exceeding the 150 kW output of typical rapid chargers and aiming for charging speeds comparable to refueling a gasoline vehicle.