Chery to launch first electric vehicle with solid-state battery

Chinese automaker Chery (Omoda/Jaecoo) has announced, just weeks after revealing a breakthrough in solid-state battery technology, that it plans to deploy the technology in an electric vehicle for the first time this year—specifically in the Liefeng model under its Exeed brand.

Chery feststoffakku exeed liefeng — Image: Chery

As previously reported, Chery unveiled a prototype solid-state battery last October with a cell energy density of 600 Wh/kg. This battery was developed by the Chery Solid-State Battery Research Institute and uses an in-situ polymerised solid-electrolyte system combined with lithium-rich manganese cathode material.

According to CarNewsChina, Chery’s subsidiary Exeed plans to equip its first electric vehicle with this solid-state battery later this year. The model in question is the Liefeng, a shooting brake, which is expected to achieve a range of 1,500 kilometres, presumably under the Chinese CLTC test cycle. Remarkably, this range is achievable even at freezing temperatures of -30 °C; a first for electric vehicles. Chery describes this as “unmatched performance in sub-zero temperatures.” The company states that the batteries operate reliably at -30 °C.

Furthermore, the Liefeng is expected to feature an 800 V architecture and a 30,000 rpm electric motor, delivering acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under 3 seconds and a top speed of 260 kph, as reported by CarNewsChina.

In early December 2025, Chery had already announced that the Exeed ES8 Shooting Brake would be the first Exeed model to feature a solid-state battery, with an all-electric range of 1,000 kilometres. The front design of both models is strikingly similar.

Chery plans to introduce vehicles with solid-state batteries in stages. Initially, a manageable fleet will be deployed exclusively in ride-hailing and car rental markets, where operational data will be diligently collected and analysed. Mass production is then set to begin in 2027.

Solid-state batteries are regarded as a major breakthrough for the electric vehicle sector. Firstly, they contain no flammable liquid components, making them significantly safer to operate. Secondly, solid-state batteries promise higher energy densities, enabling more energy to be stored in the same space. This, in turn, allows for greater ranges or lighter vehicles. A key Western player in this field is QuantumScape, in which VW invested as early as 2012. VW plans to license QuantumScape’s technology with a view to having its battery subsidiary PowerCo produce the solid-state cells. Factorial, another US-based company like QuantumScape, has secured Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis as strategic investors.

carnewschina.com