Chinese automotive group Chery has unveiled its next generation ‘Rhino’ battery which boasts ultra-fast charging capable of adding up to 500 kilometres (km) of range in just eight minutes, and a targeted total driving range of more than 1,500 km.
Unveiled at the 2026 Chery Auto Battery Night in Wuhu last week, Chery’s Rhino battery is aimed at solving what it believes to be the biggest barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption – charging time, durability, and safety.
The Rhino battery also promises a significant leap forward in real-world usability, having been engineered to support up to 5,000 charge cycles.
Chery says that its Rhino battery “family” will encompass a variety of applications including its hybrid ‘H-Series’, battery electric E-Series, as well as future solid-state variants under its S-Series banner.
The company’s plans for introducing solid-state battery technology were another focus of its event last week.
Chery confirmed that it was investing heavily in solid-state batteries through its dedicated solid-state research and development team, which is expected to soon exceed 1,200 specialists and which is backed by more than RMB 10 billion ($A2.1 billion) in investment.
It is solid-state battery technology which Chery hopes will help them deliver on their targeted goal of driving ranges of more than 1,500 kilometres. Solid-state prototypes are already capable of achieving densities of 400 Watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), and Chery has a road map targeting increasing that to 600 Wh/kg.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.