The Zeekr 001 Gains the Longest Range of Any EV in China

• One of the car’s trim levels can drive up to 641 miles (1,032 kilometers) on a charge, according to the CLTC method.

• This should make the Zeekr the EV with the longest range in the world, but this could be misleading.

• The CLTC method used in China seems more optimistic than both the EPA and WLTP test cycles.

Geely’s Zeekr brand made a few changes to its 001 premium electric hatchback for the new year by giving it more technology, more paint colours, a new sporty trim level and most importantly, the longest range of any other EV in China.

Indeed, a new version of the Zeekr 001 will be offered with a 140 kWh battery that can allow it to drive up to 641 miles (1,032 kilometres) on a charge according to the CLTC testing method used in China.

This number is higher than any electric vehicle in China or elsewhere to date, since the Lucid Air Dream Edition, the current record holder, is rated at 520 miles (837 kilometres) by the EPA.

This means that customers can expect the Zeekr 001 to have a longer range than other EVs in China, but not necessarily higher than EVs sold in Europe or North America.

Indeed, the CLTC method used to come up with this 641-mile figure is notably more optimistic than the WLTP measure used in Europe or the more realistic EPA measure used in the U.S. and Canada.

This can be seen when comparing the official range of EVs that are sold in territories that use all three methods, such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance.

This version of the compact electric sedan is advertised with a 315-mile (507 kilometres) EPA range in Canada, and a 340-mile (547 kilometres) WLTP range in Europe, but its range estimate jumps to 419 miles (675 kilometres) when sold in China.

Not every buyer will be able to benefit from the increased range for 2023 since the largest battery pack will be limited to 1,000 units only.

Other versions will keep the same 86 kWh and 100 kWh batteries that were offered in 2022, giving them CLTC range estimates between 339 and 460 miles (546 – 741 kilometres).

Changes made for the new year also include three new paint colours and additional driver assistance technologies such as the active lane-change capability.

A new performance variant also joins the lineup. Called “Z Sport”, this package adds new 22-inch alloy wheels, uprated Brembo brakes, grey Alcantara upholstery, and 18-way power adjustable sports seats.

The Zeeker 001 is currently only available in China, where the 2023 version should arrive in the second quarter of the year, but the brand is working on a European launch in the near future.

Source: Carscoops