- SAIC Motor-owned MG, which has already gained an edge in sales over rival manufacturers thanks to its high value offering, is set to bring another ‘inexpensive’ EV to market next year, this time arriving with a semi-solid-state battery.
- The battery will be standard equipment on the new EV, helping to offer a drivable range well in excess of the lithium-ion battery packs fitted to most existing electric cars.
- Being ‘semi’ solid-state, the batteries will still contain some liquid electrolyte as found in lithium-ion batteries, helping to keep costs down all while reaping similar benefits as full solid-state batteries.
The race is on for solid-state EV batteries
The move was confirmed by MG’s General Manager, Zhou Yan, in a post on Weibo, who stated: “The first new model to be launched by the MG brand next year may be equipped with a semi-solid battery. Let me report to you first that the price is not expensive”. The manager also confirmed that next year, MG will launch two new EVs in China, and two ‘refreshed’ models. However, it remains to be confirmed which of these four EVs will receive the semi-solid-state treatment, and thus whether said EV will be a globally sold model or only sold in select countries.
Solid-state-batteries, and semi-solid-state batteries, carry a number of benefits over the conventional lithium-ion units seen in the majority of EVs on the market today, by offering higher energy density, also helping to reduce overall EV weight and efficiency. SAIC subsidiary, IM Motors, launched its L6 EV in China earlier this year, which also carries a semi-solid-state battery pack – offering a range of 1,000 kilometres, giving you an idea of the range that could be expected from MG’s upcoming EV.
Such a battery could give MG an edge over the competition, particularly when many OEMs are yet to bring semi-solid-state or solid-state battery solutions to market. Some manufacturers are getting close however, with both Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis partnering with solid-state battery manufacturer Factorial in an attempt to bring the technology to market in the coming years.
