- Hongqi's first full solid-state battery pack has been installed in the Hongqi Tiangong 06 prototype vehicle.
- Hongqi said that its research team achieved a series of breakthroughs in critical areas after 470 days of intensive research.
China FAW Group's Hongqi brand has rolled out its first prototype vehicle equipped with solid-state batteries, paving the way for mass production of next-generation batteries.
On December 31, the first all-solid-state battery pack developed by Hongqi's R&D headquarters was installed in the Hongqi Tiangong 06 prototype vehicle, marking the brand's entry into real-vehicle testing for all-solid-state battery technology, according to a statement released today.
Hongqi did not disclose the energy density of the solid-state batteries or the vehicle's range.
Hongqi noted that all-solid-state batteries are widely regarded as the future direction for power batteries due to their high energy density and enhanced safety.
However, its development faces scientific and engineering challenges spanning materials, battery cells, manufacturing processes, and system integration, the brand said.
Hongqi said that its research team achieved a series of breakthroughs in critical areas --including sulfide electrolytes, 10-Ah cell performance, and 60-Ah cell manufacturing -- after 470 days of intensive research.
The rollout of the first prototype vehicle signifies Hongqi's major breakthroughs in core areas like high-voltage module encapsulation and lightweight system integration, laying the technical foundation for mass production, it said.
The brand noted its team conducted hundreds of tests to optimize design solutions and production processes, ultimately overcoming a series of technical challenges including high-pressure integration.
Solid-state batteries are viewed as next-generation battery technology, capable of delivering up to 1,000 kilometers of range per charge.
Major battery manufacturers, including CATL (HKG: 3750, SHE: 300750) and BYD (HKG: 1211, OTCMKTS: BYDDY), currently target small-scale vehicle integration of solid-state batteries by 2027.
Automakers appear more aggressive, with Dongfeng Motor (HKG: 0489, OTCMKTS: DNFGF) stating in November it expected to begin mass production of solid-state batteries delivering 1,000 km range by September 2026.
