MG4 set to introduce world-first semi-solid-state battery to Australia in 2026

The humble electric hatchback is about to take a serious technological leap.

MG has quietly begun delivering a new version of its MG4 electric car in China that could reshape expectations around EV batteries, with Australian arrivals now locked in for mid-2026. Known as the MG4 Anxin Edition, this model becomes the first mass-produced electric vehicle anywhere in the world to use a semi-solid-state battery.

Yes. This is the in-between technology many automakers have been promising for years.

▶️MORE: 2025 MG4 Price and Specs

A new kind of battery, already on the road

The MG4 Anxin Edition has now entered customer hands in China, ahead of a planned Australian launch window between April and June 2026. While solid-state batteries are still largely confined to laboratories and concept cars, MG’s approach uses a liquid semi-solid-state design that reduces reliance on traditional liquid electrolytes without fully abandoning them.

The result is a battery that is more stable than today’s lithium-ion packs, yet realistic enough to be produced at scale.

MG claims the battery uses 5% less liquid electrolyte than conventional designs, improving thermal stability and reducing fire risk, a key concern for regulators and consumers alike.

▶️MORE: MG Begins Deliveries of Liquid Solid Battery MG4 in China

What Australian buyers can expect

In China, the MG4 Anxin Edition features a 54kWh battery delivering a claimed 530 kilometres of driving range on the CLTC cycle, translating to approximately 435 kilometres under WLTP testing. Energy consumption is rated at an impressively low 11.9kWh per 100 kilometres.

Fast charging performance is equally notable. MG says the battery supports 2C ultra-fast charging, allowing a 10 to 80% recharge in just 21 minutes.

Pricing in China starts at ¥102,800, or roughly $21,900 Australian dollars, placing it well below rivals like the BYD Dolphin while offering a longer driving range.

MG Motor Australia has confirmed the 54kWh battery size for local cars, although it has not yet officially confirmed whether the semi-solid-state chemistry itself will make it to Australian showrooms.

▶️MORE:2025 BYD Dolphin EV Price and Specs

Where the MG4 fits locally

The Anxin Edition will be a front-wheel-drive model, positioned alongside updated rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the MG4 already sold here. In size and intent, it lines up closely with vehicles like the BYD Dolphin, targeting urban drivers and first-time EV buyers rather than performance enthusiasts.

The name Anxin translates loosely to peace of mind, which feels intentional. Battery safety is becoming an increasingly visible talking point, particularly as China introduces stricter EV battery safety regulations from July 1, 2026.

Those new laws are expected to accelerate adoption of safer battery chemistries, including semi-solid and fully solid-state designs.

▶️MORE: MG4 Bidirectional Charging (V2H and V2G)

Why semi-solid-state batteries matter

Solid-state batteries have long been viewed as the holy grail of electric vehicles. They promise higher energy density, lower fire risk, faster charging and reduced manufacturing complexity. But they remain expensive and difficult to mass-produce.

Semi-solid-state batteries act as a stepping stone.

By reducing liquid content while retaining proven manufacturing techniques, automakers can deliver many of the benefits sooner and at lower cost. Lighter batteries can either extend driving range or reduce vehicle weight, improving efficiency and handling.

Given the battery remains the single most expensive component of an EV, even small improvements can significantly impact pricing and accessibility.

The global race is heating up

MG is not alone in this push. Honda opened a dedicated solid-state battery production facility in 2025 ahead of its Australian EV launch in 2026. Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai and GAC are all actively developing solid-state solutions, while Toyota has publicly stated it expects showroom-ready solid-state batteries between 2027 and 2028.

What sets MG apart is timing.

By putting semi-solid-state technology into real customer vehicles now, MG may gain an early advantage in cost, safety perception and consumer trust, particularly in value-focused markets like Australia.

For Australian EV buyers, the MG4 Anxin Edition could mark the moment next-generation battery tech stops being a promise and starts being something you can actually park in your driveway.