Hongqi (FAW) tests first solid-state battery car on the road

The goal of the electric car capable of more than 1,000 km of real range is getting closer. Hongqi, the luxury brand of the FAW Group, has announced the start of road tests (in China) for its first prototype vehicle - a Tiangong 06 SUV - equipped with a solid-state battery. The cell used boasts an energy density of 380 Wh/kg, a value that promises to revolutionise the efficiency of next-generation electric vehicles. The prototype comes after years of in-house research.

Compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries with liquid electrolyte, Hongqi's solution offers superior thermal stability and a significantly higher energy density, allowing more energy to be stored in the same weight and footprint. Hongqi aims to be among the first manufacturers in the world to move from the laboratory phase to series production. Successful road tests could accelerate the timetable for commercial debut, expected by the end of 2027. By 2030, FAW aims to complete the technological foundation for mass production, gradually expanding the technology to mid-range and high-end models while reducing costs by more than 50 per cent.