Xpeng reveals 800kW charger that adds 1km per second

Electric car and charger maker Xpeng has revealed a new ultra-powerful EV charger capable of adding 1km of range every second.

The next-generation 800kW device, which was unveiled by the Chinese manufacturer’s CEO He Xiaopeng at a recent technology presentation, will be rolled out in its homeland from the third quarter of this year.

The S5 unit is liquid-cooled, with a maximum current of 800 amps and a maximum voltage of 1,000 volts, giving up to 800kW of power, almost double that of its previous generation chargers.

Currently, Xpeng’s most powerful S4 charger offers peak output of 480kW, allowing it to add around 130 miles in five minutes. The new S5 unit will be able to add 186 miles in the same time, according to its makers.

Read our review of the Xpeng G6 here

There is no indication that the S5 chargers will come to Europe but the latest announcement reveals the speed at which charging technology is developing. Lotus has confirmed it will bring its own 450kW units to Europe and Xpeng’s rival Nio unveiled a 640kW device at the end of 2023, but the Xpeng S5 represents a new high in charging power.

There are still very few cars that can fully exploit the 350kW ultra-rapid chargers that are common across Europe but charger manufacturers are already preparing for the next generation of super-fast charging EVs.

Lotus recently revealed that its Emeya can operate at up to 400kW and EV makers are constantly developing faster charging lithium-ion vehicles. Solid state batteries, which are expected to enter mainstream production in the next four years, will double charging speeds, whilst increasing energy density and longevity.