Xpeng G6 gets industry-leading charging upgrade
XPeng has announced a series of major upgrades to its G6 that allow the Tesla Model Y rival to charge from 10-80% in just 12 minutes.
The Chinese EV maker, which only arrived in the UK in April 2025, revealed major technical updates to the G6 and larger G9 models and confirmed they would be coming to European markets.
Central to the upgrades to the cars’ 800V platforms is a new “5C supercharging battery” which increases the G6’s already impressive 280kW charging capability to a staggering 451kW. The larger G9 gets an even more impressive upgrade, now offering 525kW. In both cases, that’s enough to take their batteries from 10-80% charge in just 12 minutes, eight minutes less than previously for the G6.
Xpeng hasn’t given any further details on the battery capacity or its potential range but has said that it is a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) construction which reduces reliance on rare earth metals such as cobalt. For reference, the current G6 model uses a 66kWh LFP battery for a range of 270 miles, alongside an 87.4kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cell offering 354 miles.
The upgrades put the Xpeng models significantly ahead of any European rivals. The closest models are the Porsche Macan/Taycan and Mercedes CLA, which all peak at 320kW. The Model Y manages a “mere” 250kW, in comparison.
While the Xpengs can accept charging at such speeds, there are just three chargers in the UK capable of delivering more than 450kW. There are a small but growing number of 500kW devices in mainland Europe.
Separate from the powertrain changes, the G6 upgrade brings an exterior refresh with a full-width Starlight Wing light bar featuring integrated indicators, along with a redesigned rear diffuser. There’s also a new “matte metallic” Stellar Purple paint finish.
Inside, Xpeng says the cabin is 60% new, although much of it looks similar. There’s a new dashboard and steering wheel, and Xpeng says material quality has been improved throughout. There are also massage seats with lumbar support as standard for the first time. Under the surface, there are upgraded processors for the infotainment and instrument systems along with hardware and software upgrades for its myriad driver assistance systems.
The G9 also gets a new paint finish courtesy of the Black Edition, which brings a Midnight Black finish, black badging and orange brake callipers. Inside, there’s a new heat-insulated panoramic roof and 10-point massage seats.
Orders for the new models will open in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and France in July. There’s no word yet on when the updated models will arrive in the UK.
