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Given the cost of fuel right now, I doubt I'm the only person looking at getting myself an EV in the very near future.
Which is why the timing of this announcement from Chery is so good: the Chinese company has revealed a battery that can be charged to deliver 500 km of range in just eight minutes. Seriously?
Announced at the 2026 Chery Auto Battery Night in Wuhu, the new "Rhino" battery technology aims to dismantle the three biggest hurdles for would-be electric car owners: how long it takes to charge, how long the battery lasts before needing replacement, and overall safety.
Being able to add 500km of range in the time it takes to grab a coffee at a service station effectively brings the EV experience in line with the convenience of a traditional petrol stop.
Beyond speed, the battery is designed for longevity. Chery claims the units can support up to 5,000 charge cycles, which means the battery could potentially outlast the car itself, even for high-mileage drivers or fleet operators.
Safety has been treated with a "three lines of defence" strategy. This combines toughened physical casing and advanced internal materials with a cloud-based monitoring system that keeps an eye on the battery’s health in real-time to prevent issues before they occur.
To ensure it can handle harsh environments like the Australian Outback, the Rhino battery has undergone extreme testing. This included being blasted with salt, subjected to high-speed collisions, and being dunked in water to simulate the toughest real-world conditions.
A company spokesperson said the brand’s "zero compromise" manufacturing philosophy is designed to ensure quality, targeting defect control at a one-in-a-billion level through advanced production systems.
Looking further ahead, Chery is also pouring more than RMB 10 billion (AUD $2 billion) into solid-state battery research. These "S Series" batteries are expected to be much lighter and more energy-dense, with the potential to offer a driving range of more than 1,500km on a single charge.
This technology will eventually filter through to the Chery and Omoda Jaecoo models we see on local roads. The brand is already finding success in Australia, with the recently launched Jaecoo J5 EV securing over 2,000 orders in its first three months.
Pricing and availability
While the Rhino battery technology will be integrated into upcoming models across the H Series (Hybrid), E Series (Electric), and S Series (Solid-state), specific vehicle pricing for these next-gen units is yet to be finalised.
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