XPeng G6 and G9: Chinese electric SUVs set new standards in charging performance, range and long warranty
XPeng, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has unveiled two new electric SUVs, the G6 and G9, which aim to set new standards in terms of charging performance, range and battery longevity. Both vehicles have an 800-volt system that enables ultra-fast charging. According to XPeng, the G6 reaches a peak charging power of 451 kW, while the G9 supports up to 525 kW. Both models can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 12 minutes at suitable fast-charging stations, corresponding to a range of up to 535 km (332 mi) for the G6 and 585 km (363 mi) for the G9. The vehicles thus combine ultra-fast charging times with high everyday usability.
Technical innovations, charging performance and battery life
Technically, there is a contradiction between fast charging performance and battery longevity, as high currents normally increase cell temperature and accelerate aging, which in turn shortens battery life. XPeng claims to have developed new thermal management strategies and charging algorithms that enable a C-rate of up to 5 without accelerating battery wear. The high-voltage batteries in the G6 (80.8 kWh LFP) and G9 (83.1 kWh LFP) models are said to be 30% longer-lasting than conventional high-performance batteries. This is supposed to enable extremely short charging times without compromising battery life.
C-Rate
The "C-Rate" describes the ratio of battery capacity to charging power. A 100 kWh battery charged at 1C requires one hour to fully charge, while at 2C it takes 30 minutes. At 5C, as in the XPeng G6 and G9, the charging power is five times the capacity, so theoretically a full charge would be possible in around twelve minutes. In practice, however, only the faster-charging ranges of 10 to 80% are usually used.
Comparison
For comparison: The BMW iX3 50 xDrive with 800-volt architecture supports a maximum charging power of 400 kW and achieves a range of around 372 km (231 mi) in 10 minutes. The Porsche Taycan achieves a maximum charging power of 270 kW. XPeng significantly exceeds these values with up to 585 km (363 mi) in the G9, simultaneously resolving the typical trade-off between charging speed and battery life.
Comfort and equipment
In addition to technical innovation, XPeng places great emphasis on premium comfort. The G6 offers electrically adjustable leather seats with massage functions, while the G9 features air suspension and electromagnetic dampers. Both models feature panoramic roofs, and the G6 can be optionally equipped with a trailer hitch for loads up to 1,500 kg. The vehicles combine high-performance technology with practical features.
Warranty and battery lifespan
XPeng offers a warranty of eight years or 160,000 km on the battery. According to the manufacturer, the high-voltage battery is durable despite its ultra-fast charging performance, as the new charging algorithms and thermal management are said to significantly reduce aging.
Pricing
The G6 starts at €47,600 (around $56,235) for the base model, while the Performance variant is €51,600 (around $61,000). The G9 starts at €63,600 (around $75,000) for the Long Range variant and €72,600 (around $85,700) for the all-wheel drive model.
XPeng: Serious competition for premium brands
The XPeng G6 and G9 demonstrate that Chinese electric vehicles now pose serious competition to established premium brands in terms of technical innovation, charging capacity, range and comfort. The combination of ultra-fast charging, increased battery longevity and practical features represents a significant advance in the electric SUV segment.
