China wins the race to deliver the first car with semi-solid-state battery technology

Blink and you’d miss it, but the first car with a semi-solid-state battery has quietly arrived in a rather unexpected place: the humble MG4.

While much of the world is still talking about solid-state batteries as a far-off breakthrough, China has gone ahead and put a semi-solid version into a mass-market electric car.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, it’s not a six-figure luxury EV, nor is it a limited-run tech demo.

Instead, it’s a compact hatchback aimed squarely at everyday drivers.

SBX CARS – View live supercar auctions powered by Supercar Blondie

Semi-solid-state battery tech is much safer compared to lithium-ion

The new-generation MG4 EV marks a pivotal moment for electric vehicles, not because it’s flashy, but because it makes cutting-edge battery tech accessible.

Unveiled by SAIC-owned MG in early 2025, the redesigned MG4 is positioned as the brand’s first truly global model, intended for China, Asia, and Europe.

While the MG4 has been popular in Europe since its 2022 debut, its lukewarm reception in China pushed MG to rethink the formula faster than expected.

The headline feature is the new ‘Anxin Edition’, which uses a semi-solid-state battery supplied by QingTao Energy, a company backed by SAIC.

Semi-solid-state batteries reduce the amount of liquid electrolyte used inside the cell, improving thermal stability and safety while offering better energy density.

In plain terms, that means more range, faster charging, and lower fire risk compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.

They’re widely seen as a stepping stone toward full solid-state batteries, which remain years away from large-scale production.

Until now, only premium EV maker Nio had begun mass-production of semi-solid-state batteries in cars, and only in far more expensive vehicles.

However, Nio had to discontinue production after only a few hundred units, due to lack of demand.

This means that the MG4 is officially the first compact, mass-market EV to adopt this technology, a move that could reshape expectations across the industry.

Chinese cars are extremely affordable

With a 53.95 kWh battery, the MG4 Anxin Edition delivers a CLTC-rated range of 530 km (329 miles).

It also supports 2C fast charging, taking the battery from 30 to 80 percent in just 21 minutes.

Power comes from a 120 kW motor, with a top speed of 160 km/h (99mph), which are solid numbers for a practical hatchback.

Performance aside, price is where China’s lead really shows.

In China, the Anxin Edition costs around 100,000 yuan ($14,200), while standard MG4 variants start closer to $10,000.

While overseas buyers shouldn’t expect these cars to sell as cheaply in the global market, the message is clear: China is leading the EV revolution, and it’s making the technology mainstream.

The semi-solid-state era has begun, and it’s now up to the rest of the world to catch up.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie