SAIC to adopt solid-state batteries in EVs

SAIC Motor Corp., seeking to improve its competitiveness in China’s electric-vehicle market, plans to begin mass production of EVs powered by solid-state batteries next year.

The solid-state lithium batteries have been jointly developed by SAIC and Qingtao Energy Development Co., a domestic battery maker with its financial backing, SAIC said on Wednesday.

With substantially higher energy density than traditional iron phosphate batteries, the solid-state batteries enable EVs to drive for up to 1,083 kilometers on one charge, the state-owned automaker noted. 

SAIC plans to install the batteries in IM-badged premium smart EVs in the first half of 2024. 

Later this year, it will establish a joint venture with Qingtao Energy to develop the next generation of solid-state batteries which will be more powerful and cost-effective than the current generation, SAIC said. 

Starting in 2025, the new solid-state batteries will be adopted in new EV models across its proprietary brands, including MG and Roewe, it added.