Chinese automaker Chery Automobile has showcased progress in its ‘Rhino Battery’ program, which integrates both liquid and solid-state electrolyte technologies. At its recent unveiling event, the company introduced three solid-state-focused models under the Rhino S series S1000, S1200, and S1500 highlighting its ongoing efforts to accelerate next-generation battery innovation.
A key highlight was the reported advancement in energy density for its solid-state cells, which has reached 400 Wh/kg. According to the company, this development enables driving ranges exceeding 1,500 kilometres. Chery has also outlined long-term ambitions to push energy density further to 600 Wh/kg, indicating continued investment in performance improvements.
Chery had already said that it would release its first electric vehicle with a solid-state battery by the end of 2026 as part of its product roadmap. During the ‘Chery Automobile Battery Night 2026’ event, the company provided additional clarity on its rollout strategy:
- In Q4 2026, a hybrid battery using a semi-solid electrolyte will debut in the Exeed EX7 luxury SUV, a model under Exeed.
- The Exeed ES8 is expected to be the first vehicle featuring an all-solid-state battery, with testing anticipated to conclude within one year.
Despite these announcements, limited technical details were disclosed. It was interesting that they didn’t say how fast the new Rhino solid-state cells charged. CarNewsChina and other industry experts have taken this lack of openness as a sign that some technical problems are still not solved.
For comparison, Dongfeng Motor Corporation has already conducted winter testing of its solid-state batteries, which currently offer an energy density of 350 Wh/kg but are limited to a 1C charging rate considered relatively slow for future consumer expectations.
Chery’s development efforts are supported by a dedicated workforce of around 1,200 researchers, with approximately 90% holding master’s or doctoral degrees. The company has also invested more than ten billion yuan (around €1.3 billion) into solid-state battery research and development.
Alongside solid-state technology, the Rhino Battery family includes liquid electrolyte variants offered in multiple formats, including short blade LFP cells, prismatic LFP/NMC cells, and large cylindrical NMC cells. Chery claims these batteries can deliver up to 5,000 charge cycles and support ultra-fast charging capable of adding 500 kilometres of range in about eight minutes, with potential charging power reaching up to 1,200 kW, though detailed specifications remain undisclosed.
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