MG Motors is set to leap ahead in the electric vehicle (EV) market by introducing solid-state battery technology in 2025, a timeline far sooner than many of its competitors.
This significant advancement, as reported by Autocar, comes from the SAIC-owned company and positions MG as a front-runner in the EV technology race.
Game-changing tech
A senior official at SAIC, MG’s parent company, has disclosed that the brand would equip its production vehicles with solid-state batteries within the next 12 months.
This breakthrough technology will offer a substantial upgrade over existing lithium-ion batteries, boasting double the energy density. As a result, MG's upcoming EVs are expected to have longer ranges, lighter weight, and reduced production costs.
Yu Jingmin, Executive Vice President of SAIC’s passenger vehicle operations, confirmed the accelerated timeline. He shared that an MG model equipped with the new solid-state battery would debut in the second quarter of 2025, hitting the market before the end of the year.
This shift comes as a surprise, considering previous projections had aimed for 2026.
Rivals still catching up
While other major automakers such as BMW, Toyota and BYD are working on similar technology, their timelines lag behind.
BMW, for instance, isn’t expected to bring solid-state batteries to market until 2030, and Toyota has set a target date of 2027. MG’s advancement puts them years ahead of these rivals, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape.
The benefits of solid-state batteries are clear.
SAIC’s L6 sedan, a sister model to MG’s offerings, already features semi-solid-state batteries, providing a range of 1000km on a 133kWh unit. Not only that, but the battery can charge an additional 400km in just 12 minutes.
MG is likely to integrate similar capabilities into its own models, providing Kiwi drivers with unmatched efficiency and convenience.
As the race for EV dominance intensifies, MG's ambitious plans mark a pivotal moment, positioning them to disrupt the market and challenge the conventional timeline set by other automotive giants.