Key Points
- Chery's new Rhino battery can add 500km of range in just 8 minutes of charging.
- Solid-state prototypes are targeting 600 Wh/kg energy density and over 1,500km of range.
- The Jaecoo J5 EV has already passed 2,000 orders in Australia in its first three months.
Chery Group has unveiled its next-generation Rhino battery at the 2026 Chery Auto Battery Night in Wuhu, China. The announcement sets out an ambitious roadmap for faster charging, longer range, and improved safety across its EV lineup.
The event comes just weeks after BYD launched its Blade Battery 2.0 with its own ultra-fast charging claims, signalling an intensifying race among Chinese automakers to push battery technology forward.
8 Minutes for 500km
The headline claim from the Rhino battery is its charging speed. Chery says the system can deliver up to 500km of range in just eight minutes. That puts it among the fastest-charging batteries announced by any automaker to date.
The battery is also rated for up to 5,000 charge cycles, which Chery positions as a long-life option for both private owners and fleet operators.
Fast Charging Speed Comparison
Brand | Battery | Range Added | Time |
Chery | Rhino | 500km | 8 minutes |
BYD | Blade Battery 2.0 | 400km | 5 minutes |
CATL | Shenxing Plus | 600km | 10 minutes |
Safety and Durability
Safety is a central part of the Rhino battery design. Chery describes a three-lines-of-defence approach that combines advanced materials, structural protection, and cloud-based battery monitoring.
The battery has been tested across six extreme conditions: high and low temperatures, salt exposure, collisions, underbody impacts, and water immersion.
Chery also targets a defect rate of one in a billion units through its manufacturing process, which it calls a zero-compromise philosophy.
Solid-State on the Horizon
Chery confirmed it is investing heavily in solid-state battery development. Its dedicated R&D team is expected to exceed 1,200 specialists, backed by more than RMB 10 billion in investment.
Current solid-state prototypes are achieving energy densities of 400 Wh/kg. The roadmap targets 600 Wh/kg, which Chery says could unlock driving ranges of more than 1,500km.
Rhino Battery Family Overview
Series | Type | Target |
H Series | Hybrid (HEV/PHEV) | Current production |
E Series | Battery Electric (BEV) | Current production |
S Series | Solid-State | Future development |
Chery is also using AI in its development process, running over one million simulation iterations to optimise battery performance across more than 100 key parameters.
Sustainability Targets
Chery and Omoda Jaecoo have set out long-term emissions goals. The group is targeting a 60 per cent reduction in per-vehicle emissions by 2030 compared to 2023 levels. It aims for operational carbon neutrality by 2037 and full value chain neutrality by 2047.
What It Means for Australia
In Australia, Chery and Omoda Jaecoo already sell hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full electric models. The Jaecoo J5 EV has passed 2,000 orders in its first three months on sale, showing early demand for the brand's electric lineup.
The Rhino battery technology is expected to underpin future models from the group, though no specific Australian launch dates have been confirmed.
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
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