China's new solid-state EV battery could allow your electric car to drive 800 miles on a single charge

Chinese automaker Chery is testing solid-state batteries that could potentially power EVs for up to 1,200+ kilometers on a charge.

That’s about 800 miles in old money.

There’s a reason why automakers are heavily banking on solid-state batteries.

Actually, there are two reasons.

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Chery’s new battery could fix the ‘range anxiety’ issue

Mercedes has been testing solid-state batteries for over a year, first achieving 600 miles of range, and then they did even better when they achieved 750 miles of range.

Chery did even better, because the Chinese automaker is now testing batteries that are capable of 800 miles of range – equivalent to around 1,280 kilometers.

This could solve the range anxiety problem that EV owners have been facing pretty much forever.

Even though there are other things to consider, for example, charging times and infrastructure, range is definitely one of the key deal breakers for would-be EV buyers.

And Chery’s new batteries could fix that problem.

But solid-state batteries could help with something else as well, because they’re more efficient.

Simply put, you need a smaller battery to achieve the same range, which means they’re also ‘kinder’ to the environment.

How do solid-state batteries actually work?

Several automakers are working on solid-state batteries because they could significantly improve two things about EVs: efficiency and range.

They could be a real game changer when it comes to the future of electric vehicles because they’re more energy dense.

According to Mercedes, you’re looking at up to 25 percent more driving range compared to the same battery weight and size of a corresponding liquid-state battery.

Simplified, solid electrolytes – hence the name solid-state battery – are better conductors for battery components that work in tandem to generate energy.

With the same weight and size, you get more energy.

Solid-state batteries are also easier to cool.

It’s a win-win-win situation.