Zeekr 009 electrical van debuts CATL cell-to-pack battery tech

Chinese language automaker Geely’s Zeekr model on Tuesday unveiled the 009, an electrical van that marks the manufacturing debut of battery provider CATL’s cell-to-pack battery tech.

Zeekr’s second mannequin, following the 001 hatchback, the 009 is a six-seat van is anticipated to start out deliveries in China in 2023. There aren’t any plans to supply it in america, though it does seem massive sufficient for this market.

Zeekr teased the van earlier this yr, confirming use of CATL cell-to-pack tech, which skips the modules battery cells are normally positioned in to type a pack, with some technological leaps to take care of correct monitoring and cooling and make the modules pointless.

CATL revealed the most recent model of cell-to-pack tech in April, claiming that it might ship 13% extra energy by quantity than the 4680-format cells Tesla is shifting to—in addition to spectacular power density of 355 watt-hours per kilogram with current-tech lithium-ion cells and 160 watt-hours per kilogram with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells.

Within the 009, that elevated energy and power density interprets to an estimated 514 miles from the van’s 140-kwh pack, as measured on China’s CLTC testing cycle. Which may nonetheless high 400 miles on the extra stringent EPA testing cycle.

A pair of motors present a mixed 536 hp. They use silicon carbide tech to attain 98.5% effectivity, and may propel the 009 from 0-62 mph in 4.5 seconds, Zeekr claims—fast for a van.

The slab-sided 009 sharply contrasts the sleek-looking 009, however nonetheless manages a coefficient of drag of 0.27, based on Zeekr. The physique shell additionally incorporates a one-piece die-cast aluminum rear part that Zeekr claims aids crash safety.

To assist keep away from getting right into a crash within the first place, the 009 will get a driver-assist system primarily based round Mobileye chips, with seven 8-megapixel HD cameras, 4 2-megapixel surround-view cameras, and one long-range and 12 short-range radar items for the sensor suite. Zeekr, which is anticipated to be publicly listed quickly by guardian Geely, mentioned it can provide as much as 30 driver-assist options.

Inside, passengers can use a 15.6-inch monitor that folds down from the ceiling to stream content material or host videoconferences, whereas stress-free in Nappa leather-based seats with therapeutic massage.

Zeekr was shaped in March 2021 as a “premium electrical automobile firm” below Geely, which additionally owns Volvo, Polestar, Lotus Vehicles, and Black Cab maker London Electrical Automobile Firm, with in-house developed manufacturers like Lynk & Co. and Geometry as properly. Whereas Zeekr goals for an “asset mild operation technique” that appears to suppliers for core tech—as demonstrated by the CATL partnership—different manufacturers have their very own engineering sources.

Volvo and Polestar are sharing some elements—with the Polestar 3 and Volvo EX90 each constructed on the businesses’ Sustainable Expertise Structure (SEA) platform. Though they are going their very own means on motors and different efficiency elements.

Cell-to-pack just isn’t the one modern battery tech that Geely is contemplating. It is also contemplating the broader availability of battery swapping tech for its budget-oriented Geometry EV model.