01 Huawei‑backed Luxeed Launches a Lower‑Cost RX Variant with a 55 kWh Battery
The new model trims capacity by 30 % and drops the price by roughly 12 % to broaden market appeal.
Luxeed, the premium electric‑vehicle brand spun out of Huawei’s smart‑mobility unit, announced on 20 September that it will offer a new, lower‑priced version of its flagship RX SUV. The updated model replaces the original 80 kWh lithium‑nickel‑cobalt‑manganese (NCM) pack with a 55 kWh lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LFP) battery, cutting the vehicle’s advertised WLTP range from 520 km to roughly 350 km.
The move is framed as a “price‑accessibility” strategy. Luxeed says the new RX will be priced at ¥299,900 (≈ US$41,500), about 12 % cheaper than the current 80 kWh version, while retaining the same interior layout, infotainment suite, and Huawei’s proprietary 5G‑enabled vehicle‑to‑cloud platform. The company attributes the cost reduction to the lower material price of LFP chemistry and a streamlined pack architecture that eliminates the need for active thermal‑management cooling loops.
Industry analysts see the launch as a test case for Huawei’s broader ambition to democratise premium EVs without sacrificing its high‑tech branding. “If Luxeed can prove that a modest range reduction does not erode the brand’s perceived value, other Chinese premium EV makers may follow suit,” notes Li Wei, senior analyst at Sino‑Tech Research.
The announcement also underscores the growing diversification of battery chemistries in China’s EV market. While NCM remains dominant for long‑range models, LFP’s cost advantage and safety profile are prompting manufacturers to offer mixed‑lineups. Luxeed’s decision to keep the same vehicle platform for both chemistries simplifies manufacturing and may accelerate the rollout of the new variant, which is slated for mass production at the company’s Guangzhou plant in Q4 2026.
Overall, the smaller‑battery RX could broaden Luxeed’s addressable market, especially among urban buyers who prioritize price and safety over maximum range. It also adds another data point to the industry‑wide shift toward offering multiple battery options on a single vehicle platform.
02 Donut Lab’s ‘NMC’ Battery Proven to Be a Different Chemistry, Says CleanTechnica
Forensic analysis shows the cell is actually a high‑nickel LFP blend, raising questions about marketing claims.
A recent investigative piece by CleanTechnica on 20 September challenges the marketing claims of Donut Lab, a Silicon Valley‑based startup that has been touting its “next‑generation NMC” pouch cell as a breakthrough in energy density. The article presents a forensic teardown of a Donut Lab prototype, revealing that the cell’s cathode is not the advertised nickel‑manganese‑cobalt blend but rather a high‑nickel lithium‑iron‑phosphate (LiFePO₄) formulation.
Key findings include:
The cathode powder composition measured by X‑ray diffraction shows a dominant FePO₄ peak with only trace amounts of nickel, contradicting the claimed NMC 811 ratio.
The cell’s gravimetric energy density is 210 Wh/kg, roughly 15 % lower than the 250 Wh/kg typical of true NMC 811 chemistry at comparable form factors.
* The electrolyte system is a standard carbonate blend, lacking the high‑voltage additives that NMC cells usually require for stability above 4.3 V.
Donut Lab’s founder, Maya Patel, responded on social media, stating that the prototype was a “pre‑pilot” unit intended for internal testing and that the company plans to transition to a genuine NMC chemistry in the next design iteration. Nonetheless, CleanTechnica argues that the premature public promotion of a mis‑identified chemistry could mislead investors and early adopters, especially as the market is increasingly scrutinising battery provenance.
The episode highlights a broader issue: the rapid proliferation of boutique battery startups often outpaces the rigor of third‑party validation. As battery chemistries become a key differentiator for EV pricing and performance, independent verification will likely become a prerequisite for credible market entry.
03 TEDA Forum Highlights Solid‑State Batteries as the Next Competitive Track in China
Industry leaders warn of cost and scale hurdles while pledging $3 bn of R&D funding through 2030.
At the 2026 TEDA (Tianjin Economic‑Technical Development Area) Forum held on 19 September, Wang Fang, chief strategist at China New Energy Investment (CNEI), delivered a keynote titled “New Energy Shifts to Dual‑Drive of Market and Technology; Solid‑State Batteries Become a New Competitive Track.” The speech underscored solid‑state batteries (SSBs) as the emerging frontier that could reshape China’s EV supply chain over the next decade.
Wang outlined three pillars for accelerating SSB adoption:
1. Massive R&D Funding – The Chinese government, together with state‑owned enterprises, has earmarked ¥22 billion (≈ US$3.1 bn) for SSB research through 2030, focusing on sulfide and ceramic electrolytes.
2. Supply‑Chain Integration – Existing NCM and LFP manufacturers are being encouraged to repurpose production lines for solid‑electrolyte precursors, reducing the need for entirely new factories.
3. Standardisation & Safety Protocols – A new industry consortium, led by CATL, BYD, and the Chinese Society of Electrochemistry, will draft testing standards to address dendrite formation and thermal runaway concerns.
Wang cautioned that despite the hype, commercial SSBs are unlikely to hit volume production before 2028 due to current cost estimates of $200‑$250 per kWh—roughly double that of conventional NCM cells. However, he projected that once economies of scale are achieved, SSBs could deliver 400‑500 Wh/kg, enabling 800 km range on a 70 kWh pack and dramatically shortening charging times (< 10 minutes for 80 % SOC).
The forum also featured a panel where representatives from Factorial Energy, a Japanese‑Chinese joint venture, announced a pilot line in Shanghai slated to produce 5 GWh of sulfide‑based SSBs annually by 2029. The panelists agreed that the “dual‑drive” approach—simultaneously scaling existing lithium‑ion capacity while nurturing SSB breakthroughs—will keep China’s EV market competitive against rivals in Europe and the United States.
If the projected funding and standardisation milestones are met, China could secure a dominant position in the next generation of battery technology, potentially reshaping global EV pricing and performance benchmarks.
Quick News
- Factorial Energy expands its solid‑state coalition with three new Japanese partners. The startup announced collaborations with JX Nippon Mining, Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Tokai Carbon to co‑develop sulfide electrolyte manufacturing processes.
- InsideEVs details the DIY challenges of swapping a Ford F‑150 Lightning battery pack. The article walks readers through the 1,200 lb pack removal, highlighting safety interlocks, high‑voltage isolation, and the need for specialised lift equipment.