Dongfeng Motor has begun extreme cold-weather testing of prototype vehicles equipped with its next-generation solid-state batteries, marking a key milestone toward their industrial rollout. The prototypes, each fitted with a solid-state battery delivering 350 Wh/kg—roughly double the energy density of typical lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells—departed from Dongfeng’s Wuhan headquarters on January 14, 2026. They are headed to Mohe in Heilongjiang province, China’s northernmost city, to undergo rigorous winter evaluation under natural snow, ice, and subzero conditions.
The solid-state battery has already completed material and electrochemical validation on a pilot production line. Dongfeng reports that the technology offers enhanced safety, resilience at low temperatures, and extended driving range, with single-charge distances exceeding 1,000 kilometers. In safety tests, the cells withstood 170°C thermal-box assessments and retained up to 72% of their rated capacity at –30°C.
During the Mohe trials, prototype vehicles will undergo more than 70 distinct tests in temperatures ranging from –40°C to –30°C. These assessments will measure low-temperature driving range, charge and discharge performance, structural safety under stress, and the integration of the battery system within the vehicle architecture.
Dongfeng’s solid-state battery portfolio spans energy densities from 240 Wh/kg to 500 Wh/kg. Last November at the World Power Battery Conference, the automaker showcased both this high-energy-density battery and its ultra-1,000-volt pure-electric vehicle platform. The company has announced plans to commence mass production of 350 Wh/kg solid-state batteries by September 2026 to support commercial vehicle launches capable of covering 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.
Source: China News EV Post
