Chery targets ultra-fast charging and 1,500km range with next-gen battery reveal

Chery Group, encompassing brands such as Chery and Omoda Jaecoo, has laid out an ambitious vision for the future of electrification, headlined by an ultra-fast charging battery capable of delivering up to 500km of range in just eight minutes.

Revealed at the 2026 Chery Auto Battery Night in Wuhu, the brand’s next-generation “Rhino” battery technology directly targets three of the biggest barriers to EV adoption: charging time, durability and safety.

At the centre of the announcement, the Rhino battery promises a major leap forward in real-world usability. Alongside its rapid charging capability, the battery is engineered to support up to 5,000 charge cycles—positioning it as a long-life solution for both private and fleet buyers.

Safety, however, remains a key focus. Chery’s new system introduces a comprehensive “three lines of defence” approach, combining advanced materials, structural protection and cloud-based battery monitoring to deliver full-spectrum protection.

The Rhino battery has also been subjected to extensive global testing across six extreme scenarios, including high and low temperatures, salt exposure, collisions, underbody impacts and water immersion—ensuring durability in a wide range of real-world conditions.

Chery says its “zero compromise” manufacturing philosophy underpins the system, targeting defect control at a one-in-a-billion level through advanced production processes and quality systems.

Looking ahead, the Rhino battery family will span multiple applications, including hybrid (H Series), battery electric (E Series), and future solid-state (S Series) variants—highlighting the Group’s multi-pathway approach to electrification.

Solid-state technology was another major focus of the event, with Chery confirming significant investment in next-generation battery development. The company’s dedicated solid-state R&D team is expected to exceed 1,200 specialists, backed by more than RMB 10 billion in investment.

Current solid-state prototypes are already achieving energy densities of 400 Wh/kg, with a roadmap targeting 600 Wh/kg—unlocking potential driving ranges of more than 1,500km.

Chery is also leveraging AI-driven development, with over one million simulation iterations used to optimise battery performance across more than 100 key parameters.

Beyond product development, Chery and Omoda Jaecoo have reaffirmed their long-term sustainability goals, targeting a 60 per cent reduction in per-vehicle emissions by 2030 (vs. 2023), operational carbon neutrality by 2037, and full value chain neutrality by 2047.

In Australia, that strategy is already taking shape. Chery and Omoda Jaecoo’s growing electrified line-up spans hybrid, plug-in hybrid (CSH/SHS “Super Hybrid”) and full electric models.

Leading the charge locally is the Jaecoo J5 EV, which has already surpassed 2,000 orders in its first three months on sale—signalling strong early demand for the brand’s next-generation EV offering.