Hongqi, FAW’s luxury brand, to sell electric vehicles with solid-state batteries from 2027

The industry continues to await the mass production of solid-state batteries, which are expected to offer higher energy density, faster charging, and improved safety compared to conventional batteries. Now, reports from China suggest that this technology could be implemented in electric vehicles of FAW's Hongqi brand by the end of 2027. Hongqi is known for its state limousines.

It remains unclear which cell manufacturer will supply the solid-state batteries for Hongqi. However, the brand is expected to benefit from its parent company FAW’s membership in a Chinese industrial consortium launched last year. Backed by state support and a budget of six billion yuan (currently around €730 million euros), the consortium aims to accelerate the development of solid-state batteries.

Founding members of the consortium include state-owned automakers FAW and SAIC, as well as private car manufacturer Geely, automaker and battery producer BYD, and dedicated battery manufacturers CATL and WeLion. WeLion recently announced a significant breakthrough in solid-state battery development, achieving an energy density of 824 Wh/kg in the lab. However, this technology is not yet market-ready; initially, energy densities of 300 to 400 Wh/kg are considered realistic for the first mass-produced models. In comparison, conventional LFP cells typically achieve energy densities of 150 to 180 Wh/kg.

According to CarNewsChina, FAW has now completed test production of 66-Ah solid-state cells and is collaborating with 27 industrial partners in research, development, and testing of such batteries. However, it remains unknown which company developed these solid-state cells.

According to the report, these prototype cells are already undergoing validation for use in Hongqi’s high-end saloons and SUVs. For example, they could be offered as a special long-range variant, as solid-state batteries are known to significantly extend driving range. It appears that, from late 2027, Hongqi’s flagship saloons and SUVs equipped with solid-state batteries will enter small-scale production.

FAW is not the only automaker betting on solid-state batteries. Volkswagen, for instance, has been investing in the US specialist QuantumScape since 2012 and plans to license its technology to enable its battery subsidiary, PowerCo, to produce the solid-state cells. Meanwhile, US battery developer Factorial has secured Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis as partners.

carnewschina.com