MG could launch affordable electric car with breakthrough battery that delivers 1000km of range as soon as 'next year', beating Toyota, Volkswagen and Nissan to the plate

MG could launch an affordable electric car equipped with a semi-solid-state battery in 2025, according to the brand’s General Manager, Zhou Yan.

As reported by UK-based publication AutoCar, Yan made the announcement on Chinese social media page Weibo.

“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,” he said.

“The battery industry is making rapid progress. Friends who want to buy lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) ternary lithium battery cars can wait.”

Last month, MG’s parent company, SAIC Motor, announced a second-generation semi-solid-state battery was already in the works, despite the first-generation unit not yet being made commercially available.

It is unclear which battery iteration Yan is referring to, however, assuming it is the first-generation ‘Lightyear’ battery, which is set to debut on the IM L6 sedan, the 130kWh pack is claimed to provide 1000km of CLTC-certified range.

A peak DC charging speed of 400kW means 400km of range can be added in just 12 minutes.

2024 IM L6 (Image: CarNewsChina)

Solid state batteries are widely viewed as the next frontier in the automotive world. Unlike conventional batteries they use solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones, which ultimately delivers a higher energy density, more range and a better charging performance.

However, the manufacturing process is complex, timely and expensive, leading many automakers to adopt semi-solid state technology instead, which uses a mix of solid and liquid electrolytes.

The Chinese claim to be well ahead in the race to introduce solid-state batteries, with GWM and SAIC Motor (MG) both stating they currently have the capacity to fit the technology on their cars.

But don’t rule out Western rivals Toyota, Volkswagen, Nissan and Stellantis yet, all of whom are making significant investments in the technology, which is expected to become widespread within the next decade.