Zeekr, the premium brand of the Geely group and a stablemate of Volvo and Polestar, has begun delivering its 001 model which boasts a world-leading driving range of more than 1,000kms.
The 001 electric SUV is equipped with a 140kWh CATL Qilin 140 battery pack, and Zeekr says the single motor version has a 1032km CLTC range (China Light Duty Vehicle Test Cycle).
For reference CLTC range is considered about 13% higher than WTLP range (Worldwide Harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure) so the WLTP range would probably be closer to around 900 km.
The Zeekr 001 is 4970mm long, 1999mm wide and 1560mm tall, making it longer and wider than the Tesla Model Y.
Zeekr started producing the 001 in October 2021 with 3 variants including a single motor version with 100kWh battery pack with 712km NEDC range (around 500 real world range).
With the new CATL 140 kWh Qilin battery pack, the 001 WE version will now have around a 900km WLTP range.
Zeekr began using the 140kWh Qilin structural battery pack in its 009 model last month after the 009 went into production in January this year.
The first ZEEKR 009 rolled off the production line🎉 pic.twitter.com/xCq2Y3uhiR
— Geely Group (@GeelyGroup) January 9, 2023
The long range version of the 6 seater 009 SUV with Qilin battery has 822 km of CLTC range. After a month of production in the 009, Zeekr is now using the new battery in its 001 premium station wagon.
The Zeekr 001 with the new 140kW Qilin battery will initially be limited to just 1000 units and will cost RMB 403,000 (the equivalent of $US57,000).
Zeekr also launched its third compact SUV model, the Zeekr X, in April this year with deliveries expected to begin in June.
According to CnEVPost Zeekr delivered 8101 vehicles in April, up 279 percent from 2,137 in the same month last year.
“Zeekr’s target is to achieve annual deliveries of 650,000 units by 2025 and be among the top three in the premium EV industry globally.” a Zeekr representative told Automotive Daily in March.
Although mostly confined to the Chinese market, Zeekr plans to expand sales into Europe and then the rest of the world. The company hasn’t given any timeline on when its vehicles will be available in Australia.
With CATL’s groundbreaking Qilin structural battery pack now going into vehicle production, we may start to see other EV makers start integrating the new battery in their vehicles.
Daniel Bleakley is a clean technology researcher and advocate with a background in engineering and business. He has a strong interest in electric vehicles, renewable energy, manufacturing and public policy.