Blab Tech
Hongqis 12C Ultra-Fast Battery Pushes EV Charging Below Four Minutes
In a laboratory that could rewrite the charging playbook, Hongqi’s new battery lifts a car from 10 % to 70 % state of charge in just 3 minutes 41 seconds, and reaches 97 % in 8 minutes 3 seconds. The prototype, forged in partnership with Lishen Battery, hit a peak charging rate of 12C – twelve times the battery’s capacity per hour – during 25 °C tests reported by CarNewsChina.
The 12C figure eclipses the 12‑minute, 10 %‑to‑97 % charging time that BYD’s second‑generation Blade battery, the current benchmark for ultra‑fast charging in China, delivers. BYD’s system, while faster than conventional chargers, has sparked concern over heat. A livestream test captured a hotspot of 169.6 °F, exceeding the safety threshold recommended by the battery management system.
Hongqi’s battery owes its performance to a suite of technical refinements. A high‑efficiency anode design lets lithium ions move more readily, while a custom electrolyte lowers the energy barrier for ion transport. The cell also sports a composite carbon coating and bulk doping that cut internal resistance by about 15 % compared with similar cells, accelerating charge transfer.
Heat control is crucial at a 12C charge rate. The prototype employs an intelligent liquid‑cooling system that keeps the temperature spread across the entire pack within 3 °C during fast charging. A safety‑first charging strategy continuously monitors cell temperature and adjusts the power curve in real time, a feature that may mitigate the overheating issues observed in BYD’s flash‑charging tests.
Despite the promising numbers, the battery remains a prototype. No production date has been announced, and data on cold‑weather performance, cycle life, or manufacturing yield are not yet available. The collaboration with Lishen Battery – a specialist in advanced chemistries – suggests that the technology could be integrated into Hongqi’s upcoming models, such as the 2026 H7 PHEV, but that remains speculative.
Hongqi’s breakthrough adds to a fiercely competitive landscape in China’s EV battery sector. Other manufacturers, including CATL and Geely, have announced ultra‑fast charging figures that approach or exceed the four‑minute barrier. The race is driven by consumer demand for shorter charging times and by the industry’s push to reduce charging infrastructure costs.
Regulatory bodies have not yet issued new standards specifically for ultra‑fast charging, but the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has been monitoring thermal management practices in high‑power battery systems. If the technology proves viable, it could influence future safety guidelines.
In the near term, Hongqi’s battery will likely undergo further testing under varied temperature conditions and extended cycle life studies before it can be considered for mass production. The company has not yet disclosed a launch window for vehicles that would use the new battery.
The development underscores the rapid pace of battery research in China and the intense competition among domestic automakers to deliver the fastest, safest charging solutions. Whether the 12C prototype can transition from laboratory to production remains to be seen, but it represents a clear step forward in the quest to make electric‑vehicle charging as convenient as refueling a gasoline car.
The 12C figure eclipses the 12‑minute, 10 %‑to‑97 % charging time that BYD’s second‑generation Blade battery, the current benchmark for ultra‑fast charging in China, delivers. BYD’s system, while faster than conventional chargers, has sparked concern over heat. A livestream test captured a hotspot of 169.6 °F, exceeding the safety threshold recommended by the battery management system.
Hongqi’s battery owes its performance to a suite of technical refinements. A high‑efficiency anode design lets lithium ions move more readily, while a custom electrolyte lowers the energy barrier for ion transport. The cell also sports a composite carbon coating and bulk doping that cut internal resistance by about 15 % compared with similar cells, accelerating charge transfer.
Heat control is crucial at a 12C charge rate. The prototype employs an intelligent liquid‑cooling system that keeps the temperature spread across the entire pack within 3 °C during fast charging. A safety‑first charging strategy continuously monitors cell temperature and adjusts the power curve in real time, a feature that may mitigate the overheating issues observed in BYD’s flash‑charging tests.
Despite the promising numbers, the battery remains a prototype. No production date has been announced, and data on cold‑weather performance, cycle life, or manufacturing yield are not yet available. The collaboration with Lishen Battery – a specialist in advanced chemistries – suggests that the technology could be integrated into Hongqi’s upcoming models, such as the 2026 H7 PHEV, but that remains speculative.
Hongqi’s breakthrough adds to a fiercely competitive landscape in China’s EV battery sector. Other manufacturers, including CATL and Geely, have announced ultra‑fast charging figures that approach or exceed the four‑minute barrier. The race is driven by consumer demand for shorter charging times and by the industry’s push to reduce charging infrastructure costs.
Regulatory bodies have not yet issued new standards specifically for ultra‑fast charging, but the China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has been monitoring thermal management practices in high‑power battery systems. If the technology proves viable, it could influence future safety guidelines.
In the near term, Hongqi’s battery will likely undergo further testing under varied temperature conditions and extended cycle life studies before it can be considered for mass production. The company has not yet disclosed a launch window for vehicles that would use the new battery.
The development underscores the rapid pace of battery research in China and the intense competition among domestic automakers to deliver the fastest, safest charging solutions. Whether the 12C prototype can transition from laboratory to production remains to be seen, but it represents a clear step forward in the quest to make electric‑vehicle charging as convenient as refueling a gasoline car.
