China's FAW Installs Battery for 620-Mile Range EVs

Imagine driving from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back without stopping to charge. That future just got closer.

FAW Group, one of China's largest automakers, announced it installed the first lithium-rich manganese semi-solid-state battery in an electric SUV on February 10. The breakthrough battery pack holds 142 kWh of energy and promises over 620 miles of driving range.

The technology comes from a partnership between FAW's battery division and researchers at Nankai University. Their battery cells pack more than 500 watt-hours per kilogram, roughly double what traditional lithium-ion batteries can deliver.

Semi-solid-state batteries represent a middle step toward the "holy grail" of fully solid-state technology. They replace some of the liquid electrolyte in conventional batteries with solid materials, making them safer and more energy-dense.

FAW isn't alone in this race. SAIC Motors claimed in December that it delivered the world's first mass-produced semi-solid-state EV with its new MG4 model. Fellow Chinese automaker Dongfeng began testing its own solid-state battery prototype in extreme cold conditions last month.

The competition extends globally. Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and battery giants CATL and BYD are all developing their own versions, though most use different chemical formulas focused on sulfide-based designs.

The Ripple Effect

This battery breakthrough matters beyond bragging rights. Chinese companies CATL and BYD already supply over 55% of the world's EV batteries, and these advances could reshape transportation everywhere.

Mercedes-Benz recently drove a modified EQS sedan equipped with solid-state batteries for 750 miles on a single charge. US-based Factorial Energy, which supplied those batteries, just launched America's first commercial solid-state battery program with Karma Automotive.

Most manufacturers expect small-scale production to begin around 2027 or 2028 for premium vehicles. Mass production should follow around 2030, bringing longer-range EVs to everyday buyers.

BYD reportedly plans to start producing solid-state batteries in 2027 after recent breakthroughs in battery life and charging speed. Early production will be limited until automakers adopt the technology at scale.

The advances address the biggest concerns keeping people from switching to electric vehicles: range anxiety and charging time. Longer-lasting batteries mean fewer charging stops and more freedom to travel.

These batteries also promise faster charging, better safety, and improved performance in extreme temperatures, making EVs practical for more people in more places around the world.