XPeng P7 snatches 24-hour endurance record from Xiaomi

In the uber-competitive world of Chinese electric cars, bragging rights are earned on the track, not just in the showroom. XPeng has just claimed a big one, announcing its new P7 sedan has set a 24-hour endurance record.

The EV covered an impressive 2,461 miles in a single day of relentless driving and charging. This result beats the previous record holder, the Xiaomi YU7 by 11 miles, a margin so thin it highlights the fierce competition between automakers.

A 24-hour endurance test is one of the most punishing trials for an electric car. It's designed to push every component to its absolute limit. With drivers working in shifts, the car runs non-stop at high speeds, only pausing for rapid charging sessions.

The challenge tests a vehicle's battery longevity, charging speed, powertrain durability, and, crucially, its ability to manage heat. Constant high-speed driving and repeated fast-charging cycles generate enormous amounts of heat, which can cripple performance if not handled properly. This is the ultimate stress test for modern EVs.

The motivation for this record attempt seems to have come directly from XPeng's chief rival. On August 10, XPeng Chairman He Xiaopeng shared that Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun had personally suggested that high-performance electric cars should undergo such a difficult 24-hour test.

Lei Jun himself had previously detailed the four major problems of this challenge: maintaining ultra-high speeds over 130 mph, having a long single-charge range and extremely fast charging capabilities, and featuring an excellent cooling system to survive dozens of rapid charge-and-discharge cycles. It seems He Xiaopeng took the suggestion as a direct challenge.

The battle for the 24-hour endurance crown shows just how quickly EV technology is advancing. Only a few years ago, in 2019, the Porsche Taycan set a benchmark by covering 2,128 miles. Earlier this year, the Xiaomi YU7 Max raised the bar again to 2,451 miles during its own certified test, where it averaged over 130 mph and completed 30 separate charging stops, each lasting between 10 and 12 minutes.

The star of this new record is the refreshed XPeng P7, which officially debuted in China on August 6. The car is built on an advanced 800-volt high-voltage platform, which is key to its remarkable charging performance. XPeng claims the P7's 5C ultra-fast charging battery can add 326 miles of range in just 10 minutes. This technology was essential for minimizing downtime during the 24-hour run.

Via