China’s XPeng G9 Gets 200km of Range in Five Minutes

• This makes it the fastest-charging EV in the world.

• It is capable of 480kW charging power.

EV non-believers will soon run out of excuses not to trade their ICE vehicle for an electric one. Charging speeds versus refueling times are a real concern as a fill-up at a petrol station for most cars takes about five minutes. Based on the new Xpeng G9 SUV’s charging times, EVs will soon be just as quick to fill up.

Yes, there are other “issues” surrounding EVs such as pricing, actually getting one if one can afford it, and finding a place to charge it however all of these hang-ups should, before long, go away. As will charging times. The average EV might still require about 45 minutes to go from a 10%-80% state of charge but that will evolve as battery and charging technologies improve.

Over at Xpeng, a Chinese automaker, they’ve all but cracked the code. Their new G9 SUV will dramatically cut down charge times to as little as five minutes when connected to a 480-kW outlet. That’s the equivalent of 200km of range in 5 minutes or a nearly full charge in 15 minutes. Its range is said to be CLTC 702 km or about 436 miles.

These numbers are based on the CLTC (China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) rating that is more generous that the USA’s own EPA standard, as noted by CarBuzz. Even so, this is truly fast charging.

Two things: 1) There are no current known plans for Xpeng vehicles coming to North America and 2) 480-kW chargers are not available either (350kW is tops for the moment.).