Geely Unveils 4.5-Minute EV Charging as China Accelerates Ultrafast Charging Race
Chinese electric vehicle industry is entering a new phase, with Geely Auto unveiling a system that can charge an EV battery from 10% to 70% in 4.5 minutes. With this technology Geely joined a growing group of Chinese companies, including BYD and CATL that develops charging systems aiming to bring EV charging times closer to those associated with conventional fuel stops.
Geely announced the technology on September 23, claiming its system can charge an EV from 10% to 97% in just 8 minutes and 40 seconds. The company said the technology is designed to work with its latest battery and high-power charging systems.
Geely, BYD and CATL Advance Fast-Charging Technology
Geely's announced major charging developments from BYD and CATL earlier this year.
BYD said in March that its latest Blade Battery technology can charge an EV from 10% to 70% in five minutes and from 10% to 97% in nine minutes. CATL introduced another high-speed charging system in April, saying it can charge from 10% to 80% in 3 minutes and 44 seconds and from 10% to 98% in 6 minutes and 27 seconds.
The charging figures are based on the companies' stated technologies and testing conditions, which means the claims may vary depending on the vehicle, battery temperature, charging infrastructure and other operating conditions.
Charging Infrastructure Remains a Key Constraint
The rapid increase in charging power does not eliminate infrastructure challenges. S&P Global Ratings analyst Stephen Chan said most public charging stations in China still operate below 1 megawatt, while the newest ultrafast systems from Geely, BYD and CATL require substantially higher power levels to achieve their advertised performance.
Battery durability is another consideration. Omdia senior analyst Chris Liu said batteries must be capable of accepting high charging currents repeatedly without excessive heat generation or accelerated degradation.
BYD is also competing with a new infrastructure needed to support its charging technology. The company reached 2,000 highway flash-charging stations in China in September, ahead of its original year-end target, while maintaining a broader goal of 20,000 flash-charging stations nationwide by the end of 2026.
China Intensifies EV Technology Competition
The push for faster charging comes as Chinese automakers compete in a domestic market with more than 100 passenger-car brands. Automakers are investing in battery, charging and vehicle technologies while increasingly looking to overseas markets for growth.
For international comparison, S&P Global Ratings analysts cited in the report said many EV fast-charging sessions in the United States currently take about 20 to 40 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, although some newer models can achieve charging times of roughly 18 to 20 minutes under suitable conditions.
The latest developments from Geely, BYD and CATL therefore highlight the rapid pace of charging-technology development in China's EV sector, while large-scale adoption will depend on the availability of compatible vehicles, high-power charging networks and supporting electricity infrastructure.
