FAW Hongqi makes a breakthrough in sulfide electrolytes and safety technology.
On January 21, FAW Group announced the rollout of the first Hongqi vehicle prototype equipped with its in-house solid-state battery. This marks the transition from laboratory research to real-world road testing—a critical milestone on the path toward commercializing next-generation battery technology.
“This represents FAW’s official entry into a new phase of solid-state battery validation on actual vehicles,” the company said.
After 470 days of intensive development, FAW’s engineering team successfully created a sulfide-based electrolyte system, 10 amp-hour (Ah) base cells, and a production process for automotive-grade 60 Ah battery cells. The 66 Ah cell installed in the prototype demonstrated exceptional safety performance: it withstood thermal testing at 392°F (200°C), maintained structural integrity, and showed no signs of fire or explosion, confirming compliance with stringent safety standards.
The sulfide electrolyte developed by FAW achieved ionic conductivity exceeding 10 millisiemens per centimeter (mS/cm), a strong result by industry standards. These characteristics pave the way for ultra-fast charging, high power output in cold weather, and extended cycle life. Compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries using liquid electrolytes, solid-state batteries offer higher safety, greater energy density, longer service life, and the potential for significantly faster charging. As a result, they are considered a core technology for the future of new-energy vehicles, particularly in the premium segment.
The next phase for FAW will focus on evaluating overall system performance, long-term durability under real-world driving conditions, and reliability under extreme temperatures, vibration, and repeated charging cycles. The data collected will form the basis for preparing mass production and integrating the technology into production Hongqi models. Against the backdrop of active development by global players such as Toyota and CATL, FAW’s progress highlights China’s independent R&D capabilities and its ability to scale laboratory breakthroughs to automotive-grade applications.
In practical terms, this technology could lead to electric vehicles that retain driving range in severe cold, recharge quickly on highways, and deliver an unprecedented level of safety even in serious traffic accidents—fundamentally reshaping consumer perceptions of EVs.
FAW’s efforts go beyond creating a new vehicle, representing an important step toward building trust in the electric vehicle revolution through the deployment of breakthrough, safety-focused energy technologies.