MG Motor is set to launch the MG4 electric hatchback on August 5, featuring a 70 kWh semi-solid-state battery, which promises a range of 334 miles. This innovative battery technology improves safety and stability, containing only 5% liquid electrolyte. It retains 13.8% more range in cold temperatures compared to traditional batteries. The MG4 will offer a rear-mounted 120 kW motor for enhanced driving dynamics, and the model will also include an advanced cockpit system developed in collaboration with Oppo, allowing for a more integrated driving experience.
MG Motor, a Chinese state-owned auto brand, is committed to making advanced electric vehicle (EV) battery technology more accessible to budget-conscious consumers. Speaking at a media event, division general manager Chen Cui revealed that the upcoming MG4 hatchback will be the first affordable EV equipped with a semi-solid-state battery, a type of technology previously found only in premium vehicles or concept models.
Debuting on August 5, the MG4’s battery, provided by QingTao Energy, features just 5% of liquid electrolyte, which significantly enhances safety and stability. MG states that the MG4 has successfully undergone rigorous safety evaluations, including a comprehensive 360-degree puncture test. In addition, the semi-solid battery technology grants the MG4 enhanced performance in low temperatures, maintaining 13.8% more driving range than standard lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries at 19.4°F, an essential consideration for drivers in colder regions where battery efficiency often diminishes.
The semi-solid-state battery in the MG4 combines the benefits of both solid-state and traditional liquid batteries by using a semi-solid electrolyte, thus significantly improving safety, energy density, and durability. Compared to typical lithium-ion batteries, these semi-solid batteries reduce the risk of overheating and fires, while providing greater driving ranges alongside quicker charging times. The MG4 is expected to deliver an impressive 334-mile range, owing to its energy density of 180 Wh/kg and 70 kWh battery pack powering a 120 kW rear-mounted motor. This design affords the hatchback a rear-wheel-drive layout, potentially attracting buyers who prefer a sportier driving experience due to improved handling and performance over competitors.
In comparison, the MG4’s competitors, such as the BYD Dolphin, feature different configurations with less power. The entry-level Dolphin offers a front-wheel-drive system with a 70 kW motor, while higher models provide a more robust 150 kW motor. Notably, the updated MG4 is larger than both its predecessor and others in the segment; it measures approximately 14.4 feet in length and 6 feet in width, with a wheelbase of 9 feet, whereas the BYD Dolphin is smaller, at 14 feet long with an 8.9-foot wheelbase. Furthermore, the MG4 is projected to compete aggressively with the BYD Dolphin regarding pricing, as indicated by Chen Cui during the event.
Additionally, the MG4 will introduce the MG×Oppo cockpit system, the result of a partnership with Oppo. This advanced system provides connectivity between smartphone features and the car’s interface, enabling drivers to use voice commands, gesture navigation, and seamless syncing of phone apps to enhance the driving experience. Production of the MG4 has commenced at SAIC Motor’s cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China, signifying an important step towards the eagerly awaited launch this August.
Bojan Stojkovski is a freelance journalist based in Skopje, North Macedonia, with over a decade of experience covering foreign policy and technology. His contributions have appeared in notable publications such as Foreign Policy, ZDNet, and Nature.