China's Oldest Automaker Jumps on the Solid-State Battery Bandwagon

TL;DR: China's original auto OG, FAW Group, is stepping into the future, announcing they've started testing solid-state EV batteries in their luxury Hongqi Tiangong 06 SUV. This ain't no small feat – they're talkin' breakthroughs in sulfide electrolytes and high-density cells, pushin' us closer to that 'holy grail' of battery tech. It's an old dog, new tricks situation, and it's lookin' good!

Meta: FAW Group, China's oldest domestic carmaker, has announced it's begun testing solid-state EV batteries in its Hongqi Tiangong 06 SUV, marking a significant step in the race for next-generation energy storage.

Now, when you think 'cutting-edge EV battery technology,' you might think of the youngsters like BYD or some fancy startups. But hold on to your hats, 'cause China's oldest automaker, FAW Group, the one that started way back in '53, is makin' some serious moves! They just announced they've begun testing solid-state EV batteries in their luxury Hongqi Tiangong 06 SUV. That's right, the old guard is learnin' new tricks, and these tricks are electric!

Solid Progress, Scientific Breakthroughs

FAW's been on this solid-state journey since 2014, and after 470 days of intense R&D, they're reportin' some real breakthroughs. We're talkin' about sulfide electrolytes, 10Ah and 60Ah cell performance, and a 66Ah cell that passed an extreme-heat test at 200°C! That's hotter than a summer day in July, baby! The key here is an ionic conductivity that exceeds traditional liquid electrolytes. That's a fancy way of sayin' they're cookin' up some serious juice.

What's all this mean? Well, their 66Ah battery cells are hittin' an energy density of 380 Wh/kg. Now, for those of you who ain't battery scientists, that's way better than your typical lithium-ion batteries, which usually hang out in the 180 to 250 Wh/kg range. More density means more range, less weight, and potentially safer batteries. It's like gettin' more bang for your buck, but instead of buck, it's watt-hours!

The Great Battery Race

FAW ain't alone in this race. Just last week, Dongfeng Motors, another one of China's 'Big Four' automakers, also announced they were testing solid-state prototypes, claimin' over 620 miles of range. It's a full-on sprint to see who can bring this game-changing tech to the mass market first. The goal? Small batches in high-end models by late 2027, with mass production and a reported 50% cost reduction by 2030. Now that's what I call a future worth investing in!

What’s Next

FAW's progress underscores the rapid advancements in battery technology coming out of China. The upcoming real-world testing and eventual deployment in Hongqi models will be critical benchmarks for the viability and scalability of solid-state batteries. If successful, this could significantly push forward the adoption of EVs by offering higher energy density, improved safety, and potentially lower costs.

So, keep an eye on these Chinese giants. They're not just buildin' cars; they're buildin' the future, one solid-state battery at a time. And that's no joke!