The primary MG4 Anxin Edition electric hatchbacks have been delivered to customers in China ahead of a planned Australian launch within the second quarter (April–June) of 2026.
The MG4 Anxin Edition is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle (EV) to make use of liquid semi-solid-state batteries – a halfway house between current battery technology and solid-state batteries.
The smaller front-wheel-drive MG4, similar in size to the BYD Dolphin, will probably be sold in Australia alongside an update to the present rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive MG4 range.
The MG4 Anxin Edition – with ‘anxin’ translating to ‘relief’ or ‘peace of mind’ – has a claimed 530km CLTC range, equating to 435km (WLTP), and costs ¥102,800 (A$21,944) in China.
It undercuts the BYD Dolphin’s China price of ¥129,800 ($27,707) for the top-spec version – currently in Australian BYD showrooms at $36,990 before on-road costs – which has a claimed 427km (WLTP) range.
It’s not clear if the MG4 will probably be offered with the liquid solid-state technology here. Nevertheless, MG Motor Australia has confirmed a 54kWh battery – the identical size because the manganese-based lithium-ion liquid solid-state pack within the Anxin Edition – for local showrooms.
MG states the semi-solid-state Anxin Edition has an energy consumption rate of 11.9kWh/100km and may accept 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing it to charge as much as 80 per cent in 21 minutes.
Other versions of the front-drive MG4 sold in China use a traditional lithium-ion battery pack. The liquid solid-state battery uses five per cent less liquid electrolyte than conventional versions, improving stability.
Solid-state batteries have been seen by many automakers as the important thing to unlocking the potential of EVs, each by way of practicality and sales opportunity.
The name comes from the usage of solid materials for the electrolytes – the chemicals within the battery that store and transmit power – as a substitute of flammable liquid.
From July 1, 2026, latest laws in China surrounding EV battery safety come into effect, with solid-state batteries again claimed to be less liable to damage, short-circuiting and catching fire.
Being more efficient, they provide the identical driving range in a much smaller battery size – reducing weight – or could deliver a greater distance between charges from the identical physical-size unit.
They’re also said to be simpler and cheaper to fabricate, with the battery currently the one most costly component of an EV, further reducing costs and increasing accessibility and customer appeal.
Honda, which is able to launch its first EV in Australia in 2026, opened a dedicated manufacturing facility to develop solid-state batteries in 2025, while Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai are amongst other brands working on them.
China’s GAC, which launched in Australia in November 2025 with three latest models, plans to introduce solid-state technology to showrooms in 2026, although details on exactly when they may hit Australia – and through which models – are yet to be confirmed.
The world’s largest carmaker by sales, Toyota, told CarExpert on the 2025 Japan Mobility Show (JMS) in Tokyo it plans to introduce solid-state batteries to showroom models in 2027 or 2028.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
