FAW installs 'industry’s first' lithium-rich manganese semi-solid-state EV battery with over 620 miles of claimed range.
China ’s state-owned FAW Group announced on February 10 that it has installed what it calls the “industry’s first” lithium-rich manganese semi-solid-state EV battery in a vehicle, marking a major step in the global race to commercialize next-generation electric car power packs.
Automakers and battery companies worldwide are pushing to bring solid-state batteries to market. The technology promises higher energy density, faster charging, improved safety, and a longer driving range than conventional lithium-ion batteries. Now, China’s FAW says it has moved a step closer to real-world deployment.FAW fits lithium-rich manganese semi-solid battery in vehicleIt revealed that the newly installed battery was developed by its subsidiary, China Automotive New Energy Battery Technology Co Ltd, in collaboration with a research team led by Academician Chen Jun at Nankai University.The company described it as the “industry’s first” lithium-rich manganese semi-solid-state EV battery to be mounted in a car.According to FAW, the cell energy density exceeds 500 watt-hours per kilogram. That figure is significantly higher than most commercial lithium-ion cells used today. The total battery pack capacity stands at 142 kilowatt-hours.With that capacity, the vehicle is rated for a CLTC driving range of over 1,000 kilometers . While CLTC figures tend to be higher than US EPA estimates, the number still signals a major jump in the potential range for electric vehicles.Why solid-state batteries matter for EVsAutomakers are exploring new battery chemistries to cut costs, improve safety, speed up charging times, and extend range. Solid-state batteries have long been considered the “holy grail” of EV battery technology because they replace the liquid electrolyte found in conventional lithium-ion batteries with a solid or semi-solid material.This shift can reduce fire risks and allow for higher energy density. In theory, solid-state batteries could deliver roughly twice the energy density of traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries.Despite strong laboratory results and limited real-world demonstrations, scaling up production has proven difficult. Manufacturing challenges, material stability issues, and high costs have slowed commercialization.However, a series of recent announcements from major automakers suggests that progress is accelerating.China’s automakers push rapid developmentFAW’s announcement follows similar claims from other major Chinese carmakers.In December, SAIC Motor said it had delivered “the world’s first mass-produced semi-solid-state” electric vehicle, the new MG4. That move positioned SAIC as an early leader in bringing the technology to customers.Last month, Dongfeng Motor began testing a solid-state battery-powered prototype in extreme cold conditions. Dongfeng also claims its solid-state batteries can deliver more than 1,000 kilometers of CLTC driving range.While FAW is focusing on a lithium-rich manganese approach, many other Chinese brands are advancing nickel-based chemistries such as NCM and NCA. These batteries offer high energy density but rely more heavily on nickel.Global competition intensifiesThe race is not limited to China. Major global players are investing heavily in solid-state research and pilot production.Toyota, BYD, CATL, Factorial Energy, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW are among the companies working on sulfide-based solid-state batteries. These designs are widely believed to offer better safety, higher ionic conductivity, and improved efficiency.Although no company has yet achieved large-scale, low-cost production, industry momentum is building. If recent milestones translate into reliable mass manufacturing, solid-state batteries could reshape the electric vehicle market by delivering longer ranges and faster charging without significantly increasing pack size.
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