San Francisco, CA – Chinese appliance maker Dreame claims its NEXT 01 JET Edition car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 0.9 seconds using built-in rocket thrusters. The stunning performance figure, unveiled at a company expo Wednesday, immediately drew skepticism from automotive engineers and safety experts.
“A 0.9-second sprint to 60 mph is physically possible, but not without extreme engineering challenges and safety risks,” said Dr. Elena Marchetti, a professor of automotive engineering at Stanford University. “Achieving that with a road-legal vehicle would require breakthrough battery, motor, and thermal management systems—and likely a dedicated rocket engine.”
Background
Dreame, best known for robotic vacuum cleaners and small home appliances, has pivoted into electric vehicles as part of a broader strategy to become a global consumer electronics powerhouse. The NEXT 01 JET Edition was presented at the Dreame NEXT event held at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts, alongside other products.
The company has not provided technical details on how the car generates its thrust. “We’re blending electric propulsion with a patented rocket-assist system,” a Dreame spokesperson said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss specifics.
What This Means
If the claims hold up, Dreame’s rocket car would shatter acceleration records, even surpassing Tesla Roadster and electric hypercars. But industry observers note that no independent testing has been conducted, and the company’s track record in automotive engineering is nonexistent.
“This looks more like a marketing stunt than a real vehicle,” said James Park, an analyst at AutoTech Insights. “Dreame is competing in an attention economy—they need headlines to break into the EV market.” The car is not expected to go into production, and no price or release date has been announced.
Expert Reaction
- “Rocket boosters on a road car are extremely dangerous—they create massive heat and could easily ignite nearby materials,” said Professor Marchetti.
- “The 0.9-second claim defies current physics for a battery-electric vehicle unless it uses a hybrid rocket, which would violate emissions and safety standards,” she added.
Dreame’s event also showcased other futuristic concepts, but none as attention-grabbing as the rocket car. The company plans to release more details in the coming weeks.