Yu Jingmin, the executive deputy general manager of SAIC Passenger Vehicle, recently disclosed in a media interview that SAIC's self-developed all-solid-state battery will debut in an MG vehicle, with a projected launch in the second quarter of 2025.

The executive also confirmed that the upcoming MG S5, a small electric SUV, is set to be released in November 2024.

Solid - state battery developments

Solid-state batteries have been the subject of major interest in the electric vehicle (EV) industry, with many automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Hyundai-Kia, Nissan, and Toyota, working on this technology.

These batteries offer a potential range of over 1,000 km. However, despite these claims, no commercially available all-solid-state battery has yet been introduced.

Key advantages of solid - state batteries

- Solid electrolyte: Unlike conventional liquid electrolytes, solid electrolytes increase energy density by reducing battery volume by 40% and mass by 25%.
- Longer lifespan: Solid-state batteries can last up to 45,000 cycles and function in a wide range of temperatures, from -25°C to 60°C.
- Improved safety: These batteries are non-flammable and non-corrosive, reducing the risks of leakage and improving overall safety compared to liquid-based batteries.

Despite these advantages, producing solid-state batteries at a commercially viable cost remains a major hurdle.

It's anticipated that these batteries will be reserved for high-end MG models, possibly the Cyber GTS, unveiled at Goodwood earlier this year.

MG S5 launch and specifications

The MG S5, launching in November 2024, will be a compact electric SUV featuring lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, which are known for their cost-efficiency and safety.

According to Yu Jingmin, solid-state batteries are not expected to be available in such models until 2030 at the earliest. Instead, the focus remains on liquid-based batteries, particularly NCM chemistry batteries, which will continue to dominate the Chinese battery market for the foreseeable future, as noted by Xu Yanhua, Secretary-General of the China Automotive Power Battery Industry Innovation Alliance.

The MG S5 will likely be based on the same platform as the MG 4 and will feature the following dimensions:

- Length: 4,476 mm
- Width: 1,849 mm
- Height: 1,621 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,730 mm

Powering the vehicle will be a 125 kW electric motor mounted on the rear axle, and the car's weight will range between 1,615 and 1,740 kg.