🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Zeekr is using fast charging and in-car tech to stand out

• The Zeekr 7X uses a high-voltage electrical setup. The Long Range rear-wheel-drive version is rated for direct-current fast charging up to 420 kilowatts 1.
• South Korea will be the first market outside China to get the updated 7X 2.
• Long-range versions move to a 900-volt system. That allows charging from 10% to 80% in 10 minutes 3.
• The SUV includes LiDAR, a laser-based sensor for driver assistance, plus a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip for its infotainment system 3. It also has an augmented reality head-up display that projects information onto the windshield 3.

EV competition is moving toward charging speed

• Automakers are racing to cut charging times. The aim is to tackle one of the biggest hurdles to EV adoption 4.
• Zeekr has a liquid-cooled charging station rated up to 1,200 kilowatts 4. BYD has announced chargers up to 1,000 kilowatts, while Tesla offers 500-kilowatt capacity through its Supercharger network 4.
• That puts pressure on rival carmakers to move faster on charging research or risk losing ground 4.
• Parent company Geely is using Zeekr and Polestar to pursue different premium segments, adding pressure on Tesla and Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury brand 5.