China's newest electric vehicle sensation is priced at $13,000, has a range exceeding 300 miles, and features a battery swap time of just 99 seconds.

      At a price of $13,000, featuring a 314-mile range and a battery swap that’s quicker than most can brew a cup of coffee, the Aion RT Super makes Western electric vehicles seem outdated.

      While there are debates around charging durations worldwide, a Chinese car manufacturer has introduced an electric sedan offering an entire battery swap faster than the time it takes most to prepare a decent coffee.

      GAC Aion officially presented the RT Super on April 8, 2026 (as reported by CarNewsChina), a mid-size sedan priced at about $13,000, as part of its battery rental or subscription plan. Essentially, buyers pay for the car itself upfront and lease the battery separately for approximately $58 a month.

      What’s the battery subscription model of the RT Super?

      While it might seem unconventional initially, this battery subscription model (also known as battery-as-a-service) is gaining traction in China’s electric vehicle market and is also emerging in the growing Indian EV sector. This pricing structure allows for a separation of battery costs from the initial purchase price, making electric vehicles more affordable for a broader audience.

      Returning to the RT Super, it is equipped with a 54 kWh CATL battery pack, boasting an approximate range of 314 miles per charge. Moreover, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds thanks to its robust 150 kW motor.

      For those who prefer charging to battery swapping, fast charging can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% in roughly 26 minutes. However, GAC Aion is banking on the vehicle's battery-swapping capability as its main selling point.

      CarNewsChina / GAC Aion

      Can 99 seconds really replace an EV charging session?

      With the help of CATL’s Choco-SEB battery swap platform, customers will be able to exchange a drained battery for a fully charged one in under 100 seconds. Even if the swap takes two to three minutes, it remains considerably faster than the time required for a full EV recharge.

      Furthermore, CATL is expanding its Choco swap network, aiming for over 3,000 stations in more than 140 cities by the end of 2026, with a long-term objective of reaching 30,000 stations. Instead of prioritizing ultra-fast charging, the automaker is focusing on swappable batteries as a feasible alternative, and it appears quite promising.

      Inside, the vehicle features a 14.6-inch central display, Huawei HiCar 4.0 connectivity, dual-zone climate control, and a lifetime powertrain warranty. If the EV performs well in one of the largest markets globally, it could help establish battery swapping as a standard refueling method for electric vehicles.

      For over five years, Shikhar has effectively simplified advancements in consumer technology and communicated them…

      Tesla could be on the verge of introducing its most affordable electric vehicle yet, complete with SUV design elements and significant price reductions.

      It might be available in both autonomous and manual versions. Earlier this year, Tesla discontinued the Model S and X electric cars, leaving only the Model 3 and Cybertruck in its lineup. However, reports from Reuters suggest that the company has another budget-friendly model in development, potentially a compact SUV. Notably, in March, Musk hinted at "something way cooler than a minivan," though it remains uncertain if this refers to a consumer vehicle or something akin to the Cybercab.

      So, what is Tesla currently working on?

      Skoda’s new bike bell is designed to penetrate noise-canceling headphones and, ideally, enhance safety.

      This age-old invention has received a smart upgrade, making excuses for not hearing it obsolete. Skoda has introduced the DuoBell, a mechanical bike bell designed to be heard even through active noise-canceling headphones. Collaborating with acoustic researchers from the University of Salford, the automaker has reimagined the bicycle bell to tackle a significant and growing issue: pedestrians so enveloped in their ANC bubble that traditional bells do not reach them.

      China’s Geely introduces EV charging technology that enables charging from 10% to 97% in less than 9 minutes.

      Lynk & Co's new 900V battery and fast charging technology surpasses BYD's charging speeds, but the actual performance in real-world conditions and the scale of the charging network will be the ultimate challenge.

      Just a month after BYD set a new standard for fast charging with its Blade Battery 2.0 and rapid charging system, Geely has quickly raised the bar. The company's Lynk & Co brand has revealed that its new 900V Energee Golden Brick Battery delivers even faster charging times.

      Geely is making strides in charging speeds.