This $22K EV coupe has a semi-solid-state battery and a ‘Queen’ makeup station in China

This one is about a car, not a home upgrade, but it touches on battery tech that shows up in energy storage news. China's SAIC is launching the MG 07, an electric coupe with a "semi-solid-state" battery, a newer battery design that uses far less liquid electrolyte (down to just 5%) than standard EV batteries. SAIC says this cuts fire risk and extends battery life, and the batteries passed needle-penetration tests without smoke or fire.

The car goes on presale July 29, 2026 in China, starting under 150,000 yuan (about $22,000) for a base version with roughly 379 miles of range. A higher-end version with faster charging and a longer 522-mile range starts around $26,500. MG plans to bring this same battery technology to Europe by the end of 2026, starting with a version of its MG4 model.

None of this is available in the US yet, and there's no mention of it applying to home batteries or solar storage. But it is a sign that semi-solid-state battery technology is moving from concept to mass production faster than expected, which is worth watching if you're curious about where home battery technology might head next. Cheaper, safer, longer-lasting batteries in cars often signal similar improvements coming to home energy storage down the road, though nothing here confirms a timeline for that.