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A Chinese car brand has won the race to launch the first new electric vehicle powered by ‘game-changing’ battery technology.
MG, the once-British brand now ran by Shanghai’s SAIC, has debuted its new 4X hatchback in China, which is the first new mass-production EV to use cutting-edge ‘semi-solid-state’ batteries.
Solid state batteries are seen as the key to unlocking incredible performance from EVs and overcome many – if not all – hurdles preventing the mass transition to electric cars.
They promise significantly shorter charging times, much-improved efficiency in colder temperatures, and enormous ranges compared to electric models on sale today. And they should be safer too.
As such, car makers are investing heavily with battery suppliers in a bid to introduce the technology as quickly as possible to gain an advantage of the competition.
But while MG’s new family car – which is initially only sold in China – appears to have got over the line first, its range isn’t all that impressive…
A full technical breakdown of the tech underpinning the MG 4X is sparse for now, but the Chinese manufacturer has confirmed its full charge driving capabilities.
But it’s hardly a figure that will make Britons want to trade in their trusty petrol and diesel motors.
MG says it will be good for up to 317 miles.
Given there are seven cars already on sale that can exceed 450 miles – two of which offering 500 miles plus – it’s hardly what you’d call groundbreaking.
Then there’s also the fact the 317-mile claim is based on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), which is typically 10 to 15 per cent more optimistic about ranges than the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure used for type approval in Europe.
This means the true ‘official’ range – if lab tested in Europe – could be closer to 270 miles… and even less under real-world driving conditions.
But while its range is relatively modest – given similarly sized EVs in showrooms today, like the Kia EV4 and VW ID.3, are already capable of well over 350 miles on the WLTP cycle – there are areas where the tech delivers vast improvements.
The most notable of all are reduced weight and significantly shorter charging times, with claims that upping the battery from 30 to 80 per cent charge takes just 21 minutes.
With MG recently facelifting the 4 and launching the cheaper MG4 Urban in Britain, there is no news on whether the 4X will be made available to UK customers.
That said, its battery tech could be retrofitted into the less expensive version on sale here, with bosses previously stating that the MG4 Urban will be compatible with its semi-solid-state batteries.
Solid-state batteries have a solid electrolyte that allows for faster movement of ions and a greater tolerance of high voltages and temperatures.
This makes them more suitable than existing lithium-ion batteries for rapid charging and discharging.
It also means lighter and more compact battery packaging, which should deliver a combination of improved range efficiency, road handling and cabin space.
Solid-state batteries should also have safety benefits over today’s conventional lithium-ion units. This is because they eliminate the flammable liquid electrolyte, which should limit the risk of battery fires.
The first production-ready full solid-state battery was debuted earlier this year by Finnish company, Donut Lab.
It’s claimed to deliver nearly 600km (373 miles) of range from a full charge in just 10 minutes in the Verge TS Pro motorcycle.
It too has showcased a ‘functional prototype skateboard’ drivetrain – a lightweight EV platform that combines electric hub motors and solid-state battery technology – at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
The world’s biggest car seller, Toyota, has previously claimed that solid-state-battery EVs will become mainstream around 2030, when the Government is expected to impose a ban on sales of conventional new petrol and diesel cars.
