SAIC Motor’s MG brand is set to debut its first model featuring a semi-solid state battery in 2025, marking a shift in its electrification strategy. Zhou Yu, General Manager of the MG brand division, shared the update on Weibo, asserting the battery technology would be standard and cost-effective. He also announced plans to roll out MG’s DMH plug-in hybrid powertrain system in the same year.
“MG’s first new car in 2025 will have a semi-solid state battery as standard, and it won’t be expensive,” Zhou stated.
The brand’s 2025 lineup will include two all-new models and two facelifted versions, according to Zhou. However, the semi-solid battery announcement contrasts with earlier claims by Yu Jingmin, SAIC Passenger Vehicle’s executive deputy general manager, who had indicated that an MG car would feature a self-developed all-solid state battery, anticipated for release in the second quarter of 2025.
Shift from All-Solid State to Semi-Solid State Technology
The updated announcement raises questions about MG’s timeline and technology. It remains uncertain whether the all-solid state battery launch has been postponed beyond 2025 or if SAIC has shifted focus to semi-solid state technology.
Speculation suggests that MG’s semi-solid battery could be linked to the one used in the IM L6 from SAIC’s IM brand. The IM L6 battery boasts an energy density of over 300 Wh/kg and a capacity of 123.7 kWh, enabling a range of over 1,002 kilometers under the CLTC cycle. The battery supports ultra-fast 400 kW charging, adding over 400 kilometers of range in 12 minutes.
Industry insiders believe the Cyber GTS, one of MG’s new 2025 models, could be the first recipient of the semi-solid state battery, aligning with MG’s strategy to pair innovative technology with premium offerings despite Zhou’s affordability claim.
Expansion of Plug-In Hybrid Technology
In addition to battery advancements, MG plans to introduce the DMH plug-in hybrid powertrain in China, already available internationally in the MG HS. The system combines a 1.5T engine with an electric motor, delivering 220 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque, with a 24.7 kWh battery providing an electric range of up to 120 kilometers under WLTP standards.
The second new model for 2025 remains undisclosed, though some speculate it could be the second-generation MG HS, which aligns with MG’s existing international lineup.
Source: Autohome, Weibo
