MG's Semi Solid State Battery

[Fogey]

I'm perfectly happy with the (relatively slow) charging speed of my SE SR .. any faster and I won't have time to get both a pee and a coffee as the charging will have finished, so I'd have to go and move the car.

Exactly! That's what happens with ICE cars. It means that the pee/refuel stop takes longer than a fast top-up charge, in practice! And is more hassle.

 

[T1 Terry]

Exactly! That's what happens with ICE cars. It means that the pee/refuel stop takes longer than a fast top-up charge, in practice! And is more hassle.

For some of use, that involves filling a tank before draining one, just the hose flow is faster for one event than the other .....

T1 Terry

 

[Fogey]

Thing is, with ICE, you have to be in attendance at the pump whilst adding fuel - then you have to move the car to a car park in order for your comfort break. With an EV you just roll up to a charger, plug in, and saunter over to wherever at your leisure. Much easier, and potentially faster.

 

[Ian Key]

Thing is, with ICE, you have to be in attendance at the pump whilst adding fuel - then you have to move the car to a car park in order for your comfort break. With an EV you just roll up to a charger, plug in, and saunter over to wherever at your leisure. Much easier, and potentially faster.

When I had to use the public charger I used to take the dog for a walk. Imagine filling up your ICE car then opening the boot to let the dog out before wandering off for 20 minutes.

 

[T1 Terry]

Thing is, with ICE, you have to be in attendance at the pump whilst adding fuel - then you have to move the car to a car park in order for your comfort break. With an EV you just roll up to a charger, plug in, and saunter over to wherever at your leisure. Much easier, and potentially faster.

Weren't you one of the considerate ones, I'm sure I've lined up behind people who went in for a meal or something .....

On one occasion, I gave a long horn blast in the Winnie, after creeping forward till there wasn't enough room to walk between the Winnie Bullbar and their rear bumper, it got mother out of the passenger seat and walking around to the driver's side to move the car ..... the driver finally walked out with coffees, buckets of chips and other supply, bundled high, and looked confused because I was filling with LPG where he had parked mid way between all the pumps .....

T1 Terry

 

[EvTek23]

An article from Forbes discussing MG's Semi Solid State Battery and it's first use in the MG 4 Urban

MG Semi-Solid-State Batteries Promise Performance And Safety Upgrade

Solid-state batteries are taking ages to arrive, but MG is launching semi-solid-state in Europe in 2026. Here's how they mean a big step forward over regular lithium-ion.

www.forbes.com

 

[Gomev]

Solid state batteries are supposed to have higher energy density, so smaller/lighter packs for the same energy. But a kWh is a kWh so don't expect more range per kWh per se. That will have to do with other factors such as weight, aero dynamics and motor efficiency etc.

Have I got that right ?

 

[T1 Terry]

Solid state batteries are supposed to have higher energy density, so smaller/lighter packs for the same energy. But a kWh is a kWh so don't expect more range per kWh per se. That will have to do with other factors such as weight, aero dynamics and motor efficiency etc.

Have I got that right ?

Add to that, they aren't actually solid state yet, semi solid state is a bit like being a semi millionaire, you have $100 to back the horses and a lot of hopes and dreams ...
If, in 5 yrs time, they do actually still hold a good state of health after their supposed ultra fast charging potential is actually applied and their claimed great low temp performance ..... only then will they have proved themselves in the real world.
There are no actual verified independent lab results to back up these claims, they could be Donut Lab batteries or Krispy Keme donuts for all the evidence that has been supplied .....

Also keep in mind, this is MG's way to get NMC chemistry past the strict "No spontaneous combustion" rules that come into affect in a mth or so ....

I know it's an unheard of thing for an EV maker claiming stuff they can't actually achieve, so I'll stay with the "wait and see" mindset, until some hard evidence appears

T1 Terry

 

[tsedge]

Here's some info on the new Chinese rules from 1st July 2026:

China introduces world's first EV battery safety law requiring fire prevention

Source: Cycling Electric China has passed a new electric vehicle (EV) battery safety regulation, becoming the first country to mandate that battery packs must not catch fire or explode, even in the event of internal thermal runaway. Effective from mid-2026, this regulation will require EV...

leva-eu.com

 

[Bam Bam]

Solid state batteries are supposed to have higher energy density, so smaller/lighter packs for the same energy. But a kWh is a kWh so don't expect more range per kWh per se. That will have to do with other factors such as weight, aero dynamics and motor efficiency etc.

Have I got that right ?

The lighter weight and greater size convenience might lead to efficiency improvements, but only because of the issues you've raised - lower weight and any aero advantages that the batteries facilitate.

 

[tsedge]

Don't forget they'll be more expensive to start with, so you'll pay more for solid state (or semi solid state) over other types, until prices come down.

I've heard a lot about these batteries, but I will believe them when I see them.