Chinese electric vehicle maker Li Auto unveiled major charging and platform upgrades at the ongoing Chengdu Auto Show in China. The company provided updates on its 800V EV architecture and 500kW “5C” ultra-fast charging tech.
Though Li Auto’s new model, the Li MEGA, did not debut at Chengdu, the company touted the EV’s 800V high-voltage platform. This enables compatibility with Li Auto’s proprietary 5C charging standard.
At Li Auto’s 5C stations, peak power can exceed 500kW. This allows an increase of up to 500km range from just 12 minutes of charging, according to Li Auto.
The company aims to build over 100 5C charging stations by October focused on popular driving routes. The longer-term goal is 300 stations by end of 2023 and 3,000 stations by 2025.
Li Auto also reinforced ambitions for the Li MEGA, (Li Auto announced first Pure Electric MPV model Li Auto MEGA), The model will officially debut in December 2023, hit showrooms in January 2024, and begin customer deliveries in February 2024.
The Li MEGA represents a major step in Li Auto’s EV evolution, 800V tech and 500kW charging unlocks new performance possibilities and helps alleviate range anxiety.
With its charging infrastructure expansion, Li Auto aims to demonstrate EVs can match or exceed ICE vehicle convenience. The company’s optimistic sales targets for the Li MEGA will depend on delivering on this promise.
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