Chery Automotive’s Exeed brand is preparing to launch its first solid-state battery-equipped model, a shooting brake named Liefeng, in 2026. This vehicle will use Chery’s in-house Rhino S solid-state battery, which features an oxide-based electrolyte and achieves an energy density of 600 Wh/kg. Chery opted for the oxide formulation over polymer and sulfide alternatives to balance safety, performance, and manufacturability. The company claims the battery can deliver up to 1,500 kilometers of range in extreme cold, maintaining reliable operation down to –30 °C.
The Liefeng will also feature an 800-volt electrical architecture paired with a high-speed electric motor capable of spinning at 30,000 rpm. These components enable acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds and a top speed of 260 km/h, positioning the model as a high-performance, cold-climate contender.
This announcement follows Exeed’s December 2025 reveal of the ES8 shooting brake, which debuted with a solid-state battery promising approximately 1,000 kilometers of range. Both models share a similar front-end design, including matching headlight patterns, though the Liefeng is marketed as the flagship performance variant.
Chery plans a phased rollout of its solid-state technology, beginning in 2026 with pilot deployment in ride-hailing and rental fleets to collect real-world performance data. Pending successful validation, mass production is slated for 2027. Industry analysts view 2026–2027 as a critical period for determining whether solid-state batteries can be integrated into mainstream vehicles.
Despite optimism around the technology’s potential, experts at the 2025 World Power Battery Conference cautioned that technical and production hurdles remain. Consistent quality, safety standards, and cost targets will be essential for broader commercialization beyond demonstration fleets.
Source: CarNewsChina
