One Of Gas Cars’ Last Big Advantages Is Starting To Disappear

The Next Frontier

The automotive market is moving deeper into electrification, with EVs still widely seen as the industry's long-term endgame. Volkswagen has even suggested that gasoline-powered vehicles could eventually fade into history much like horses did a century ago, as more consumers embrace the benefits of all-electric mobility.

However, automakers also need to develop technologies that make the transition easier for prospective buyers, especially as EV skepticism remains a major hurdle. In the U.S., the market has already seen a notable slowdown after federal EV incentives ended, pushing more attention back toward hybrids and combustion-powered vehicles.

Closing The Gap

Over in China, Lynk & Co may have an answer to one of the biggest concerns buyers still have about EVs. The Geely-backed automaker recently launched the 10+, which can reportedly charge from 10% to 97% in just 8 minutes and 42 seconds. A 10% to 80% charge, the more commonly recommended fast-charging range, takes only about five and a half minutes, according to CarNewsChina.

That's much closer to the time it takes to refuel a combustion-powered vehicle, narrowing one of the biggest gaps between EVs and gas cars. The fast charging times are made possible by a 900-volt architecture and the so-called “Golden Brick” battery. The 10+ also uses a dual-motor setup delivering 912 horsepower, enough for a 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) sprint in 3.2 seconds.

It is worth noting that such charging speeds can only be replicated under ideal conditions, such as optimal battery temperature, a compatible megawatt charger, and no power-sharing with other vehicles. Nevertheless, it shows how automakers continue to find ways to make EVs more appealing to buyers, alongside other developments such as solid-state batteries from brands like Toyota.

The Global Charging Race

The U.S. may be wary of Chinese cars, but they are still sold in many parts of the world. Lynk & Co already competes in Europe, and if the 10+ gains traction there thanks to its ultra-fast charging capabilities, it could lure some buyers away from legacy automakers. As a result, competition could intensify and push rivals to respond.

For now, another Chinese automaker, BYD, is moving ahead with plans to deploy more ultra-fast charging stations globally. The company calls the technology "Flash Charging" and claims it can recharge a battery in less than 10 minutes. That shows what may be possible in the future, especially when most DC fast-charging sessions in the U.S. still take around 20 to 30 minutes.

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