Zeekr claims 1000km EV range ahead of debut
Geely's slick EV brand is coming to Europe this year - something else for Tesla to worry about
Here are two separate pieces of news that contain a common thread. And that common thread is EV range. Geely’s Chinese sub-brand Zeekr is launching an updated version of its 001 EV with a helluva big battery. It's 140kWh. No surprises, then, with a beast of a powerpack like that fitted, the limited-edition Zeekr 001 has a very healthy claimed range: over 1,000km if you want a round number, or more specifically it’s quoting 641 miles. If that stands up to scrutiny (and bear in mind this is the Chinese way of measuring it) then what you’re looking at here is the vehicle with the longest EV range of any production car. At least that's what ten minutes of internet-based research says.
If you’re not familiar with the 001, it currently comes with a choice of 86kWh and 100kWh batteries, and either a single motor set-up with 272hp or a range-topping dual motor configuration that doubles the power to 544hp. That version hits 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds. At the moment the 001 is sold only in China. It was launched right at the end of 2021, so it’s been out just over a year - and at the last count, the company had sold around 40,000 units in that time. For reference, the Tesla Model Y costs around the same (approximately $40,000) but the US brand has sold around 220,000 Model Ys in China over the same period.
Geely has stated its intention to introduce the Zeekr brand in the US and Europe, and at the launch of its Zeekr 009 MPV last year, An Conghui (Zeekr CEO and president of Geely Holding) said that sales in Europe will kick off in 2023. This push into new markets will coincide with two new models this year – a four-door saloon and a mid-size SUV – and there will be two further (as yet undisclosed) new models in 2024. The full details of its European push haven’t been released yet. We don’t know, for instance, which markets it’s aiming for and whether it’ll be engineering its cars for right-hand drive.
We do know that An has targeted 70,000 sales for Zeekr this year, and looking to the future, he’s targeting up to 650,000 vehicles per year by 2025. Don’t rule out him achieving that, either. You hardly need reminding that Geely is a big player these days, already owning Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Lynk&Co. The manufacturer also has a 50 per cent interest in the Smart brand, and minority interests in Aston Martin and Mercedes-Benz.
While its ambition can hardly be questioned, there's no doubt either that Tesla is the big fish in Zeekr's pond. Beating the electric range claimed for some of its best-selling models is a big deal if the Chinese brand intends to make a lasting impact on European buyers - especially with established carmakers now picking up the EV gauntlet. Not the ideal day then for the second news item to crop up: South Korea has apparently fined Tesla a wrist-slapping $2.2 million for failing to inform its customers that its cars’ range will be much the reduced in low ambient temperatures.
The Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) deemed that Tesla had exaggerated the "driving ranges of its cars on a single charge, their fuel cost-effectiveness compared to gasoline vehicles as well as the performance of its Superchargers" on its official local website since August 2019. It went on to suggest that the manufacturer’s electric ranges can plunge by up to 50.5 per cent in cold weather. That isn’t an issue limited to Tesla, of course. All EVs offer reduced range performance in cold weather, but the firm's failure to disclose the information has resulted in the crackdown. Expect the question of range-related buyer expectations to crop up a lot this year, be they long or short.
600miles will be at 30mph on the flat with every ancillary switched off. In reality, in real world driving conditions circa 300 miles..
600miles will be at 30mph on the flat with every ancillary switched off. In reality, in real world driving conditions circa 300 miles..
A random example, here's the E-Golf's figures:
NEDC: 300km
WLTP: 231km
EPA: 190km
If this follows the same pattern as the Golf, you'd expect a 400ish mile EPA figure and even that's a combined figure not a pure motorway one. I think 300 miles on the motorway in poor weather is quite likely for this.
600miles will be at 30mph on the flat with every ancillary switched off. In reality, in real world driving conditions circa 300 miles..
Not a chance...
When deicing spray comes out as useless gloop, the seat squab is rock hard and you see an icicle hanging down the tailpipe of a car driving along the motorway, you know it is damned cold.
600miles will be at 30mph on the flat with every ancillary switched off. In reality, in real world driving conditions circa 300 miles..
I also thought that an oddball who did regular 300 mile journeys would be a decade away from being catered for back in 2019, yet here we are and even the odd % who have this need are now being looked after. Stunning!!
As for what to complain about? Try cost of electricity and source of production which allows a significant advantage in battery manufacturing in China as battery manufacture is very electricity intense I believe? Well its a starter for ten and I'm no expert so may be BS, if so apologies.
When deicing spray comes out as useless gloop, the seat squab is rock hard and you see an icicle hanging down the tailpipe of a car driving along the motorway, you know it is damned cold.
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