China Tests EV Battery With 620-Mile Range in Extreme Cold

Dongfeng Motor is testing a new battery in China's coldest city that could help electric vehicles travel farther than ever before.

The Chinese automaker announced this week that it's testing solid-state batteries in extreme cold weather conditions in Mohe, where temperatures drop as low as negative 40 degrees Fahrenheit. The prototype battery delivers over 620 miles of range, roughly double what most electric vehicles can travel today on a single charge.

What makes this especially impressive is how well the battery performs in brutal cold. At negative 22 degrees, the battery retained 72% of its energy, addressing one of the biggest complaints EV owners have about winter driving.

Dongfeng has already completed over 70 tests in freezing conditions, focusing on range, charging speed, and durability. In November, the batteries passed a safety test at 338 degrees Fahrenheit without catching fire or exploding, far exceeding China's safety requirements.

The company has finished building a pilot production line and expects the first batteries to power vehicles by 2026. Mass production is scheduled to begin in September of that year.

Solid-state batteries are considered the "holy grail" of electric vehicle technology because they pack more energy into a smaller, safer package than today's lithium-ion batteries. That means longer range, faster charging, and less risk of fires.

The Ripple Effect

Dongfeng isn't alone in this race. SAIC Motor, BYD, and battery giant CATL are all developing similar technology in China, with plans to launch between 2027 and 2030.

Major global automakers are joining the competition too. Mercedes-Benz drove a modified electric sedan 745 miles on a single charge using solid-state cells from a US company last September. Toyota, Honda, Volkswagen, BMW, and Hyundai are all working on their own versions.

The first solid-state batteries will likely appear in luxury vehicles around 2027 or 2028 as the technology gets refined. By 2030, they could reach affordable mainstream models, making electric vehicles practical for millions more drivers who worry about range and charging.

This technology could finally put to rest the last major concerns keeping people from switching to electric vehicles.