With the MG4 Anxin Edition, MG and its parent company SAIC have taken a symbolic step towards the large-scale production of a semi-solid battery. Already on sale in China, this compact electric car claims to be aimed at the general public, a far cry from premium technology demonstrators. With a range close to that of the LFP versions, it is above all the safety, resistance to cold and industrial maturity of the technology that will catch our attention.
A world first claimed by SAIC
The new generation MG4, based on the SAIC Group’s compact electric platform, is now available in several variants. One of these, the Anxin Edition, is distinguished by the adoption of a semi-solid battery, presented as a first for a mass-production electric vehicle in the mass-market segment. This is a strategic argument, since until now, semi-solid batteries have been the preserve of premium models or projects with limited distribution, such as Nio’s WeLion packs designed for top-of-the-range saloon cars with a very long range. With the MG4, SAIC is seeking to demonstrate that this technology can be produced on a large scale, at controlled costs, and integrated into an affordable compact car. However, this version is reserved for the Chinese market…
Unlike fully solid batteries, which are still at the R&D stage, MG’s solution is based on a semi-solid architecture. In concrete terms, a large proportion of the liquid electrolyte is replaced by a gel electrolyte, with the liquid fraction reduced to around 5%. This choice is aimed at achieving a compromise between safety gains, thermal performance and industrial feasibility. The chemistry used is of the semi-solid manganese-lithium type, with the primary objective of providing better resistance to shocks and perforations, much improved performance at low temperatures and a higher energy density than conventional LFP batteries. All this without the heavy constraints of 100% solid solutions.
Figures close to LFP, but different uses
The MG4 Anxin Edition packs a 53.95 kWh battery, almost identical in capacity to the 53.9 kWh LFP pack already found on the standard MG4. The claimed range varies between 530 and 537 km in the Chinese CLTC cycle, confirming that the gain in mileage is not the main issue. The message is clear: this battery is not seeking to revolutionise range, but to make real-life use more reliable. The energy density of the pack is estimated to be higher than that of many entry-level LFP batteries, without reaching the promise of future solid-state batteries. However, this development is accompanied by a slight increase in weight: around 15 kg more than the equivalent LFP pack. It’s a deliberate compromise in favour of robustness and consistent performance.
On the powertrain front, performance remains in the mid-range of the segment, with a claimed top speed of around 160 km/h, identical to other versions of comparable power. In terms of recharging, MG claims that the battery can be recharged from 30% to 80% in just over 20 minutes using a fast charging point. Here again, the figures are close to the best current LFP batteries, but the main advantage lies in the consistency of this performance in difficult conditions. According to a number of technical analyses, this generation of semi-solid batteries is capable of retaining up to 85% of its discharge power at -30°C, while significantly improving the efficiency of rapid recharging in extreme cold.
Safety and price as the main arguments
It is in the field of safety that MG and SAIC are most strongly supporting their communication. During cell perforation tests, the MG4 Anxin’s semi-solid battery is said to have resisted without producing smoke, fire or explosion, even several hours after the test. This performance is claimed to exceed current industry standards. The drastic reduction in the use of liquid electrolyte limits the risks of thermal leakage and fire propagation, one of the most sensitive points in conventional lithium-ion batteries. For SAIC, this technology represents a credible intermediate step between current liquid batteries and fully solid batteries.
Last but not least is the pricing. In China, the MG4 Anxin Edition is priced at around 102,800 yuan, or around €12,300 at the current exchange rate. An extremely aggressive price, which makes this model the first affordable electric car equipped with a semi-solid battery. With this MG4, SAIC is not just trying to tick a technological box, but to make the unashamed assertion that the semi-solid battery is no longer reserved for technology showcases or the premium segments. It now remains to be seen when this technology will cross China’s borders and make its way onto European roads.
Sources: www.electrive.com – wcevcar.com – www.metal.com – SAIC MG
