- The new MG4 with a semi-solid-state manganese-based lithium-ion battery has been approved for sale in China.
- It uses a single front-mounted 120kW motor, also found on other MG4 models in the range.
- Pricing, range and battery capacity for the semi-solid-state variant will be confirmed in September 2025.
The elusive “next big thing” in EV batteries just stepped into the showroom queue.
SAIC Motor’s MG4 EV, now fitted with a semi-solid-state battery, has been given the green light for sale in China, marking the first time such tech will be offered in a mass-produced electric car.
A battery first, without the guesswork (yet)
Pre-orders for the updated MG4 opened earlier this month, starting at ¥73,800 (about NZ$17,200), with SAIC confirming that the semi-solid-state variant’s price will drop in September. For now, official specs like range, battery capacity and charging speeds are still under wraps.
What we do know is that the headline act here is a manganese-based lithium-ion pack supplied by Suzhou Qingtao Power Technology, a global player in solid-state EV battery development. It replaces the lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery found in other MG4s, and pairs with the same single front-mounted motor producing 120 kW.
Familiar hatch, fresh twist
Dimensionally, the MG4 holds steady at 4395mm long, 1842mm wide, 1551 mm tall, and with a 2750 mm wheelbase - slightly larger than BYD’s Dolphin hatch.
The cabin is expected to mirror the existing line-up, complete with a 15.6-inch floating infotainment screen and the usual suite of smart tech. Optional extras include a 360-degree camera, front and rear radars, tinted roof, privacy glass, and bespoke badging.
For context, the current MG4 range in New Zealand spans several trims, offering either 51, 64 or 77kWh packs. These deliver CLTC ranges of 437km and 530km respectively, and pricing tops out at ¥105,800 (around NZ$24,700).
Semi-solid future in sight
SAIC says this MG4 will be the first semi-solid-state battery EV to launch on a global scale, with deliveries slated to start by the end of 2025. If the promised benefits of higher energy density, improved safety and better cold-weather performance hold true, the MG4 could be an early taste of what’s next in mainstream EVs, minus the vapourware.
DRIVEN Car Guide understands final pricing and detailed performance figures will be confirmed in September, giving us a clearer picture of how this tech stacks up in the real world.
