Founded in 2021, China’s Zeekr (a wholly owned Geely subsidiary) currently sells exclusively to its home market in China and sold just over 71,000 vehicles in 2022. The company doesn’t have a big product portfolio, just two cars drive annual sales, the Zeekr 001, a crossover hatch that looks like a Porsche, and the 009 MPV, which looks like a monolithic rectangle on wheels.

China’s Zeekr 001 comes with a range of battery sizes, an 86 kWh battery is standard, and top-spec models come equipped with a 140 kWh battery which is a beast of a battery pack for sure. Zeekr says that the 140 kWh 001 is good for a 641-mile range. Car manufacturers have always inflated mileage and range and it is no different in the EV age.

EV range depends on the optimization of software and hardware in addition to the mechanical and electrical efficiency of the hardware/powertrain. Also, factor in the additional weight of the 140 kWh battery, the weather, user profile, the geography and the Zeekr might be capable of achieving a range of 425 miles.

As an example, the Tesla Model Y incorporates a 75 kWh battery and standard versions are able to range over 300 miles. The model Y is an example of how efficiently engineered Teslas are. For Zeekr to rely on a massive battery pack to guarantee 400 mile-plus range is a sign that the underlying engineering is not that capable.

The Zeekr retails in China for the equivalent of 36,000 Euros or $45,000 USD. Zeekr is aiming to launch in Europe by 2024, although the company has not revealed if the 001 or 009 will be included on launch day. Zeekr is set to launch the X crossover hatch, a BMW X1, Volvo XC40-looking EV. Perhaps the Zeekr X will be the first model to launch in Europe. The entry-level Zeekr X will house a 66 kWh battery which should be good for around 300 miles.