All posts tagged: Geely

You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all

You can now ride a Chinese EV in the US as Waymo opens Zeekr Ojai to all

Published by skeptic

The next-generation Waymo Ojai, built by Zeekr. Source: Waymo Waymo is now letting all riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix hail its next-generation Ojai robotaxi — a vehicle built in China by Zeekr. That makes the Ojai one of the only ways for an American to ride in a Chinese-made EV, a car they still can’t legally buy for themselves. Waymo announced today that the Ojai, which had been limited to free early-access rides since it started offering trips in the new robotaxi on May 28, is now open to the general public across all three markets as the Alphabet unit begins commercial operations with the platform. Riders may be matched with an Ojai when one is available nearby. Waymo says it will eventually let passengers choose between the Ojai and its existing Jaguar I-PACE fleet. Advertisement – scroll for more content A Chinese EV you can’t buy — but can now ride The Ojai’s base vehicle is manufactured by Zeekr, the premium EV brand owned by China’s Geely Holding Group, on the …

Geely prepares revolutionary 500 Wh/kg solid-state EV battery that could beat diesel

Geely prepares revolutionary 500 Wh/kg solid-state EV battery that could beat diesel

Published by skeptic

Geely says its next-generation solid-state EV battery will reach an energy density of up to 500 Wh/kg, and it’s already running the cells through real-world validation ahead of a pilot rollout in 2027. That number is the whole story. At 500 Wh/kg, Geely’s cells would hold roughly twice the energy per kilogram of the best lithium-ion battery packs shipping in EVs today. Why 500 Wh/kg is such a big number The best high-nickel NMC cells in production EVs land around 250 to 300 Wh/kg at the cell level. Tesla’s 4680 sits near 245 Wh/kg. LFP cells, the chemistry powering most affordable EVs, come in lower still. At the pack level, once these cells are in modules and pack, the enegery density per kg drops even further. Zeekr’s current “Golden Brick” LFP pack is rated around 128 Wh/kg at the pack level. Advertisement – scroll for more content So a cell at 500 Wh/kg isn’t an incremental gain. It’s a doubling. Doubling energy density changes the math on every EV. You can keep the same range …

Geely 700 tri-motor stuffs 1,113 hp in a high-luxe, boxy package

Geely 700 tri-motor stuffs 1,113 hp in a high-luxe, boxy package

Published by skeptic

The eagerly anticipated Geely Galaxy 700 was expected to be the Chinese brand’s answer to the Range Rover and Land Cruiser – but, with a tire-shredding 1,113 hp on tap, it may be a bigger, boxier answer to Italian exotic cars, instead! Alternatively called the Geely Galaxy Zhanjian 700, Galaxy Cruiser 700, or (my favorite) the Galaxy Battleship 700 in different global markets, the production version of the new big Geely made its first appearance in Milan, Italy last week, sporting a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain that pairs a range-extending ICE with top-shelf models offering three beefy electric motors good for a combined, headline-grabbing 830 kW (~1,113 hp) and a massive 1,692 Nm (~1,250 lb-ft) of torque. Geely didn’t release any official performance figures for the big SUV, but from what they did release we can calculate a power-to-weight ratio of 392 hp/tonne (or ~5.6 lbs./hp), which should translate to straight line performance somewhere between a Ferrari 458 Italia and a McLaren 570S – and (trust me on this) both of those cars can move. Cool in …

Polestar barred from US over the Chinese connected vehicle rule, a dangerous precedent

Polestar barred from US over the Chinese connected vehicle rule, a dangerous precedent

Published by skeptic

Polestar is pulling new vehicles out of the US market starting with model year 2027 after the Commerce Department declined to grant it authorization under the Connected Vehicle Rule, the company confirmed today. The decision effectively ends new-car sales in the US for the Geely-owned Swedish EV brand — even though one of its models is assembled in South Carolina. What Commerce decided The Bureau of Industry and Security, part of the US Department of Commerce, declined to grant Polestar (Nasdaq: PSNY) an authorization to sell vehicles in the US from model year 2027 onward under the current Connected Vehicle Rule. The rule, finalized in January 2025, bans connected vehicles with a “sufficient nexus” to China or Russia from the US market, with the software prohibitions taking effect for model year 2027 and hardware restrictions following in 2030. It covers telematics, cameras, microphones, GPS, Bluetooth, cellular modules, and automated driving software across gas, hybrid, and electric vehicles alike. Advertisement – scroll for more content Polestar’s problem is ownership, not where the cars are built. The …

Chinese automakers race to enter Canada, here are the EVs likely coming

Chinese automakers race to enter Canada, here are the EVs likely coming

Published by skeptic

The EX5 SUV, one of the first models making its way to Poland / Source: Geely Auto Three major Chinese automakers — BYD, Chery, and Geely — are actively hiring staff, scouting dealership locations, and registering trademarks in Canada following the country’s landmark decision to slash tariffs on Chinese-built EVs from 100% to 6.1%. But none of them have actually started selling cars yet. The biggest beneficiaries of the new quota system so far are Tesla and, to a lesser extent, Polestar — companies that already have established brands and existing sales infrastructure in Canada. Chinese automakers are making moves Canada’s trade deal with China, struck by Prime Minister Mark Carney in January, created a quota system allowing up to 49,000 Chinese-built EVs into the country per year at the standard 6.1% most-favored-nation tariff rate. Interestingly, the strange uneven number was actually based on the number of Chinese EVs, almost entirely Tesla and Polestar vehicles, imported into Canada prior to the 100% tariffs in 2024. The first 24,500 import permits became available on March 1 …

BYD, Geely bid for 230,000-unit Nissan-Mercedes Mexico plant in North American push

BYD, Geely bid for 230,000-unit Nissan-Mercedes Mexico plant in North American push

Published by skeptic

BYD and Geely are among three finalists competing to purchase a Nissan-Mercedes-Benz joint venture plant in Aguascalientes, Mexico, according to a Reuters exclusive report. The plant, which has a production capacity of 230,000 vehicles per year, would give either Chinese automaker an instant manufacturing foothold in North America, bypassing years of regulatory delays that have stalled their greenfield factory plans in the country. The third finalist is Vietnamese EV maker VinFast. The three were selected from a pool of nine companies that expressed interest, including Chinese automakers Chery and Great Wall Motor. A new strategy to bypass red tape The move to acquire an existing plant marks a significant strategic pivot for BYD in particular. The company had spent years trying to build a new factory in Mexico, with plans dating back to early 2024 when BYD was exploring the country as an “export hub” for the US and other markets. By mid-2024, BYD was closing in on a deal for a massive new plant that would eventually produce up to 500,000 vehicles annually. Those …

Volvo parent Geely set to produce first solid-state battery this year

Volvo parent Geely set to produce first solid-state battery this year

Published by skeptic

Volvo parent company Geely is set to complete production of its first in-house solid-state battery pack in 2026, becoming the latest Chinese electric automaker to announce progress with this next-generation battery tech. Geely announced its plans to complete the production of its first in-house developed, all-solid-state battery pack this year at the company’s five-year strategy communication event on Thursday. Once complete, the new lithium manganese iron phosphate battery, which should achieve 15% higher energy density than conventional li-ion batteries, will be installed in an existing EV platform for verification testing. Geely joins other Chinese brands like Dongfeng, FAW Group, and SAIC MG in developing a production-ready solid-state solution. Sometimes call the “holy grail” of EV battery technology, solid-state batteries promise more energy capacity in a smaller, lighter battery back that uses fewer exotic, expensive materials to produce. What’s more, solid-state batteries aren’t just smaller and better, but safer and more resistant to catching fire, as well – and that could be a big clue about where this battery is headed. Advertisement – scroll for more content …

Geely Starray EM-i: UK Powertrain Details Confirmed

Geely Starray EM-i: UK Powertrain Details Confirmed

Published by skeptic

The Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid PHEV SUV is poised to redefine the hybrid vehicle market in the UK. By seamlessly integrating advanced electric and petrol technologies, this family-focused SUV offers a compelling combination of performance, efficiency, and sustainability. Designed to cater to the needs of modern drivers transitioning to greener transportation, the Starray EM-i delivers versatility through its innovative hybrid engineering, multiple battery options, and fast-charging capabilities. This vehicle represents a significant step forward in the evolution of hybrid mobility. Powertrain: A Blend of Efficiency and Performance At the heart of the Starray EM-i lies its innovative hybrid powertrain, which combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine with a powerful electric motor to deliver a total output of 193kW. The petrol engine contributes 73kW and 125Nm of torque, while the electric motor adds 160kW and 262Nm. This synergy enables the SUV to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 8.0 seconds, providing a dynamic yet efficient driving experience. The power is transmitted to the front wheels via a 1DHT transmission, which is engineered to optimize energy …

Updated ZEEKR 007 gets 900V system, better ADAS, Q2 release date

Updated ZEEKR 007 gets 900V system, better ADAS, Q2 release date

Published by skeptic

The Geely-owned ZEEKR brand is earning a reputation for building fast, stylish, and tech-forward EVs – and its latest 007 model is no exception. The ZEEKR 007 is getting even better in 2026, however, with 900V system architecture and improved ADAS equipment. Positioned as something between a shooting brake and a tall wagon, the ZEEKR 007 is a premium, upscale SUV known for rapid acceleration, high-end interiors, and high-tech features like OLED screens and an augmented reality heads-up display (AR-HUD) unit that delivers critical navigation, vehicle data, and infotainment uh– information directly to the driver’s line of sight. For 2026, CarNewsChina is reporting that the 007 will get a raft of new upgrades, including a 900V high-voltage electrical system that promises both faster charging and more peak power for the car’s dual electric motors. Under the hood, the updated electrical system will support an advanced Nvidia Drive Thor-U chip good for 700 TOPS (up from 508) that will support both “full domain AI” and Geely’s new G-ASD assisted driving system announced last week at the CES in …

Tesla tanks in Europe, Geely eyes the US, and CES 2026 kicks off

Tesla tanks in Europe, Geely eyes the US, and CES 2026 kicks off

Published by skeptic

On today’s all-consuming episode of Quick Charge, we’ve got some quick takes from the 2026 Consumer Electronics Show! One of the largest tech and mobility trade shows on the planet, CES has already seen advanced AI, a drone you can ride, advanced AI, and more! We’ve also got an all-new SUV from the Sony/Honda partnership, Afeela, sales numbers from Chevy, Genesis, and Lucid, and even an “extended range RV” backed by the home power experts at Anker. You can find out more in the source links, below, then let us know what you think in the comments. Featured image via CES. Source Links Prefer listening to your podcasts? Audio-only versions of Quick Charge are now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, TuneIn, and our RSS feed for Overcast and other podcast players. Advertisement – scroll for more content New episodes of Quick Charge are supposed to be recorded several times per week (most weeks, anyway). We’ll be posting bonus audio content from time to time as well, so be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss a minute of Electrek’s high-voltage podcast series. Got news? Let us …