Chery Showcases Electric Vehicle with 1,500 km Range, Launching in 2027

WUHU, KOMPAS.com – Chery Automobile has introduced its latest solid-state battery, claimed to deliver an exceptionally long range for electric vehicles. The battery, named Rhino, has an energy density of up to 600 Wh/kg. It is claimed to enable vehicles to travel up to 1,500 km on a single charge. The battery technology is scheduled to enter the initial production phase early this year, followed by testing on the Exeed ES8 model starting next year or in 2027. Chery’s Vice President, Gu Chunshan, stated that the total R&D investment is estimated to exceed 10 billion yuan, or approximately Rp 21 trillion (exchange rate around Rp 2,100 per yuan). Chery will also strengthen its solid-state battery research team to more than 1,200 people over the next two years, with the majority holding master’s and doctoral degrees. Additionally, the company is preparing to build advanced laboratories, pilot production lines, and an integrated industrial ecosystem to support the technology’s development. Currently, Chery is producing solid-state battery cells at various energy density levels that are still undergoing testing processes. For the Rhino Battery S series, there are two main variants. First, a 60 Ah cell with 400 Wh/kg energy density using sulphide-based solid electrolyte and high-nickel ternary cathode. Second, a variant with 600 Wh/kg density using polymer-based solid electrolyte and lithium-rich manganese cathode. In addition to solid-state batteries, cited from Battery Tech, Chery is also preparing other technologies for upcoming vehicle models. The liquid-based battery supports ultra-fast charging up to 1,200 kW. With this technology, vehicles can add around 500 km of range in about eight minutes. Moreover, this battery is claimed to have volume expansion as low as 10 percent and a lifespan of around 5,000 charge cycles.