In recent years, the electric vehicle industry has experienced a revolution, especially with innovation news coming from China. Geely’s luxury brand Zeekr's new LFP battery is one of the latest examples of this revolution. The ability to charge from 10-80% in just 10 minutes and reach a range of 300 miles (482 km) in as little as 15 minutes is a testament to how far this technology has advanced. Moreover, this high-performance 75 kWh battery will be used in Zeekr’s new 007 sedan model.
These innovations are taking their place in the industry as a hallmark of typical Chinese advancements. The Chinese seem to have surpassed the limits of thermodynamics in battery technology. Issues like overheating and the reduction of battery life due to fast charging no longer seem to be on their radar.
However, the automotive industry is a risky field. Once a new innovation is implemented, hundreds of thousands of vehicles are produced, and problems that may arise later can lead to significant costs, such as recalls. In some cases, these problems can even result in tragic outcomes like fatal accidents. This is why automotive engineers tend to be cautious about innovations. Both technical and legal responsibilities push them to adopt a conservative approach.
For new technology to be launched, it must be proven through rigorous testing. The knowledge of how many times and under what conditions these tests should be conducted comes from past experience. The biggest issue with pushing the limits of new technologies is that they lack a history, which inevitably leads to questions about their reliability.
In my opinion, the electric vehicle industry should pause for a moment, take a breath, and fully absorb these technologies. This frantic technology race should not lead to major problems for anyone.
While the rapid advancement of electric vehicle technology is undoubtedly exciting, this pace must be managed carefully. As we build the cars of the future, we must also consider the impact of these innovations on society. The risks of the technology race should not be overlooked.
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