China’s EV charging race has entered a new phase after Geely demonstrated a new 1.5 MW ultra-fast charger capable of delivering megawatt-level charging to a production Zeekr 001.

The technology itself was first announced with the upgraded Zeekr 001 in late 2025, but the latest demonstration highlights the charging infrastructure required to deliver such extreme power levels in practice.

The announcement comes as the Chinese automotive group prepares to expand its own Geely brand into new European markets, including the Benelux, highlighting how quickly Chinese manufacturers are pushing both technology and market presence in Europe.

Geely says the updated Zeekr 001 uses the latest ‘Golden Battery,’ designed to support extremely high charging rates. It reached a peak charging power of more than 1,200 kW when connected to Geely’s new ‘Extreme Charge Megawatt Pile,’ which can deliver up to 1,500 kW.

Under optimal conditions, the system could charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in roughly seven minutes.

Thousands of megawatt chargers

Rival Chinese automaker BYD recently introduced its own 1.5 MW ‘flash charging’ technology and plans to deploy thousands of such stations in China, intensifying the technological competition between the country’s EV giants.

Both approaches rely on ultra-high-voltage architectures close to or exceeding 900 volts, combined with very high current levels and batteries capable of accepting extremely high charging rates.

In the case of the latest Zeekr 001, the car’s electrical architecture has been upgraded to around 900 V, up from the previous generation’s 800-V system.

Zeekr is simultaneously rolling out updates to its European model range that also highlight the role of the Golden Battery technology. From May 2026, the compact premium SUV Zeekr X will be updated for the 2026 model year with improved performance and charging capabilities.

The Long Range version will integrate a new 61 kWh LFP Golden Battery, enabling more modest DC fast charging up to 230 kW on its 400-volt platform, allowing the battery to charge from 10 to 80 percent in around 18 minutes.

Power has also increased by 50 kW, bringing the all-wheel-drive Privilege version to a maximum output of 365 kW (496 hp) and a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.7 seconds.

The update also brings interior improvements, including a redesigned center console, additional storage space, a ski hatch, and dual wireless phone charging, while luggage capacity increases to 404 liters.

Not likely any time soon for cars

While megawatt charging has traditionally been associated with heavy-duty trucks, Chinese automakers are now demonstrating similar power levels for passenger cars.

The aim is clear: reducing charging times to just a few minutes and eliminating one of the last perceived disadvantages of electric vehicles compared with internal-combustion cars.

However, such charging speeds remain far beyond what is currently available in Europe. The fastest public charging networks across the continent generally peak at 250-350 kW, depending on the vehicle and charging infrastructure.

Even the most advanced EVs sold in Europe today rarely exceed those figures during real-world charging sessions.

Geely brand launch Benelux

Geely’s announcement also comes as the group accelerates its European expansion strategy. The company has already begun introducing its core Geely brand in several European markets with the EX5 electric SUV, a mid-size model designed to compete in the mainstream EV segment. The car produces about 160 kW and offers a range of up to 450 km, depending on the battery version.

More broadly, Geely plans to launch around fifteen new vehicles tailored for European consumers over the coming years while building a network of sales outlets across the continent.

Industry sources expect the next step in that strategy to include the Benelux region, where the company is preparing to introduce the Geely brand itself in an event by the end of March.

The Geely brand itself comes alongside the other marques already controlled by the group, such as Volvo, Polestar, Zeekr, and Lynk & Co. The rollout is expected to initially focus on electric SUVs like the EX5 and target fleet and leasing markets, where EV adoption is already strong.