MG, the Chinese carmaker with the classic British badge, has said it believes it is the first electric car company to achieve mass production of solid-state batteries.
Why is that important?
Solid-state batteries have long been seen as the Holy Grail of electric car design. By replacing the liquid-filled cells of current battery designs with a ceramic-based solid fill, in theory solid-state batteries can be safer (no more battery fires); longer-ranged (because they're more energy-dense); smaller and lighter (also because they're more energy dense); and faster to charge (like, less than ten minutes for a full charge on DC power).
Is MG being serious, though?
It seems to be. The brand was in the midst of announcing a new research and development HQ in Frankfurt, which will be its second European base (MG previously had an engineering hub in the UK, and it retains a design office in London).
While it was announcing the new centre, MG also brought up the subject of its new 'SolidCore' batteries, which it says will be on sale in 2028. Other brands - such as Nissan and Toyota - have also suggested 2028 as a possible solid-state on-sale date, but the significance here is MG's reputation for affordability - if it can sell solid-state to car buyers at a reasonable price, it may get an early leg-up into the next stage of the electric car revolution.
What's MG promising with its SolidCore batteries?
Beyond the 2028 on-sale date? Nothing specific yet, but the company did say that its new battery designs will deliver: "greater range certainty, rapid charging, and enhanced cold-weather performance year-round.”
Circling back to the Frankfurt R&D centre…
Oh yes, MG is promising big things out of Frankfurt, not least of which will be a new generation of higher-performing hybrid models. The brand sold 137,000 hybrids across Europe last year - the majority of which were the HS plug-in hybrid SUV - so it's keen to keep fulfilling European tastes for hybrid motoring.
The next-gen Hybrid+ technology will include a new 1.83kWh battery and a new three-speed hybrid transmission "to optimise instant, 'electric-first' torque to deliver the power even quicker.” There's also a new eight-mode engine logic control system for maximum efficiency and flexibility, which includes real-time terrain detection, so the vehicle can make even smarter judgments to adapt its propulsion strategy to changing driving conditions, for example, especially on slopes.
MG Europe and the UK's Vice President, Kimi Li, said, "MG's new SolidCore battery and Hybrid+ technology provide tangible benefits for our customers and position our vehicles at the forefront of their class. These advancements reinforce MG's commitment to making cutting-edge technology and electric mobility more intuitive, accessible, and widely available. Our strategy of developing MG vehicles in Europe, for Europe further enhances the desirability, versatility, and value that our cars deliver to customers across the European market.”