MG Electrifies with Breakthrough Solid-State Battery Tech
British Icon Reimagined by Chinese Ownership Powers Ahead
MG, the storied British automotive marque, is charting a new course with its latest compact electric vehicle, the MG4. Now under Chinese ownership, the brand is at the forefront of battery innovation, introducing what it calls a semi-solid-state battery. This advancement promises faster charging, increased power, and enhanced longevity for its popular EV.
MG4 Gets a Major Upgrade
The MG4, a bestseller for the brand since its late 2022 debut, has received a significant visual and technical refresh. Its design has transitioned from sharp angles to smoother, flowing lines, with the body length extended by 11 cm to 4.40 meters. The most impactful change, however, lies beneath the surface.
This updated MG4 is being heralded as the first mass-produced car globally to feature a novel battery technology: a solid-state or “hard” battery. Experts have long identified this as the future of energy storage for electric vehicles.
Solid-State: The Battery of Tomorrow
Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries that use a liquid electrolyte, solid-state batteries employ a solid electrolyte. This fundamental difference unlocks several key advantages, including higher energy density, reduced charging times, improved performance in cold weather, and a significantly longer lifespan.
While other manufacturers are actively pursuing solid-state battery development, MG appears poised to gain a significant market advantage with this introduction. It’s important to note that the battery in the MG4, supplied by Quing Tao Energy, is described as semi-solid. It still contains a small percentage of liquid electrolyte, and its energy density is rated at 180 watt-kilograms, a figure that is comparable to existing high-performance lithium batteries.
Enhanced Range and Power Options
The new MG4 is equipped with a 70-kilowatt-hour battery, projected to deliver a driving range of approximately 500 kilometers. Previously, MG4 models offered battery capacities of 51 kWh or 62 kWh, providing ranges of 350 km and 450 km respectively.
Initially, the drive system will feature a single electric motor variant producing 163 horsepower (120 kilowatts), with an anticipated starting price around €25,000. This contrasts with earlier versions that offered power outputs ranging from 170 to 245 horsepower. The high-performance MG4 Xpower, with its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system and a peak output of 435 horsepower, highlights the brand’s commitment to performance, with expectations that further high-power options will be announced soon.
The Science Behind the Solid Electrolyte
The electrolyte plays a critical role in a battery’s functionality, acting as the medium for ion transfer between the anode and cathode to facilitate electrical current flow. The core innovation in solid-state batteries is the replacement of liquid electrolyte with a solid material.
These solid electrolytes are typically composed of ceramics like oxides, sulfides, or phosphates, or utilize solid polymers. While these materials offer performance benefits, they are generally more expensive than traditional liquid electrolytes. The use of a solid electrolyte also enables the use of lithium metal as an anode instead of graphite. This switch further enhances electrochemical performance, leading to faster charging, greater energy storage within the same physical space, and thus longer driving ranges. Moreover, solid-state batteries significantly reduce the risk of thermal runaway and fires.
Indeed, solid-state battery technology is already proven in niche applications such as pacemakers and various portable electronic devices, demonstrating its reliability and safety.
The automotive industry is seeing significant investment in solid-state battery research. For example, Toyota has committed over $10 billion to solid-state battery development, aiming for commercialization by 2027 (Source: Reuters, 2023). MG’s move with the MG4 signals a strong intent to compete in this rapidly evolving sector.
