MG4 Semi‑Solid Battery Coming by 2026, China’s Big Push, and California’s Self‑Ticketing Cameras

There are days in this job when the news lands like a stack of sticky pit‑lane tyres—warm, grippy, and a bit messy. Today’s one of those. The headline act: the MG4 is slated to get a semi‑solid‑state battery by 2026. Around that, China’s automakers climb the global ladder, California hands speed enforcement to radar cameras, Kia rejiggers its rugged SUV plans, and someone painted a Porsche loud enough to wake the neighbors. Coffee down, keys up.

MG4 semi‑solid battery: what’s coming to Australia in 2026

CarExpert reports the MG4 will debut what MG bills as a world‑first semi‑solid‑state battery, with Australian availability targeted for 2026. I’ve spent time in the current MG4 on everything from city lanes to wind‑raked B‑roads and came away impressed by its cheeky rear‑drive balance and honest real‑world efficiency. If this new pack delivers on semi‑solid promises—higher energy density, better thermal behavior, and more consistent fast‑charge curves—the MG4 could shift from good value to properly compelling.

What the MG4 semi‑solid battery could change day to day

• More range without upsizing the pack: that’s mid‑week commuting plus a beach detour on Friday without a top‑up.
• Improved thermal stability: back‑to‑back rapid charges on a winter road trip should feel less like a waiting game.
• Potential weight savings: lighter packs can make the MG4 feel even more playful on a twisty road.
• Safety margins: semi‑solid chemistries tend to be more tolerant of heat and physical stress—useful when it bakes in a shopping‑centre car park all afternoon.

MG4 Batteries: Today vs. Semi‑Solid (Announced)

When I tried the current MG4 on rough country roads, the ride had that lightly sprung, communicative feel—fun, if a touch chatty over expansion joints. A denser, lighter pack could let MG add a smidge of compliance without dulling the steering. My lingering questions are the ones owners actually care about: will it cost more, how’s the warranty, and do those headline charge speeds hold after your third quick stop on a summer road trip? I’ll be watching the real‑world data, not just the brochure charts.

BYD and Geely storm the global charts as China out‑sells Japan

CarExpert also notes BYD and Geely have muscled into the world’s top 10 automakers as China’s new‑car sales overtake Japan. Not exactly a shock from where I sit: I’ve seen fleets of BYD plug‑in hybrids cruising Europe, MGs and BYDs peppering Aussie suburbs, and Geely’s spiderweb—Volvo, Polestar, Lotus—tighten its grip globally.

• Prices stay sharp, specs get generous: heated seats, big screens, active safety—it all drifts down the price ladder.
• Update cycles shrink: annual facelifts and over‑the‑air tweaks make three‑year‑old cars feel ancient.
• Confidence builds: once the early adopters become advocates, resale and dealer networks usually follow.

At a charger last week, a BYD owner told me their infotainment boots slowly on frosty mornings—then shrugged and said they’d buy the same car again for the range and price. That’s how momentum happens: not perfection, but satisfaction.

California green‑lights radar cameras that can auto‑ticket

Carscoops reports California will let radar enforcement cameras issue tickets automatically. The policy brain in me likes the consistency; the driver in me wonders about edge cases—dirty plates, iffy reads, changing limits.

• Expect a phased rollout on high‑risk corridors first: school zones, nasty arterials, crash hotspots.
• There’s typically a warning period with signage. Your daily route might look the same—until it doesn’t.
• Keep dashcam footage if you run one; it can help if a dispute crops up.
• Adaptive cruise set a few clicks under the limit suddenly feels like cheap peace of mind.

On an LA run not long ago, I let traffic‑aware cruise do the heavy lifting and noticed my shoulders drop. If automation brings more of that calm—fairly and transparently—I’m on board.

Kia’s rugged SUV slowed by Tasman pickup priorities

Also via Carscoops: Kia’s body‑on‑frame SUV project appears to be delayed as the brand pours resources into the Tasman pickup. Product development is a Jenga tower—focus on a new ute, something else wobbles.

• Need towing and dirt‑road composure now? Toyota, Ford, and Isuzu still have the ladder‑frame basics nailed.
• Family first, trails second? Kia’s current crossovers are excellent on bitumen, just don’t expect Prado‑level articulation.
• If Tasman nails its chassis, expect an SUV spin‑off down the track—platform sharing is the modern gospel.

I’ve driven “rugged” SUVs that overheated halfway up a rutted climb and others that crawled like mountain goats. If Kia’s pausing to sort cooling, geometry, and low‑speed throttle finesse, chalk it up as time well spent.

Car culture palette cleanser: when your Porsche marker pen explodes

Carscoops also highlighted a Porsche wearing a color so bright it could guide aircraft in fog. Personalization is half the hobby—just remember:

• Resale gets picky: wild hues narrow the buyer pool (unless you’ve tapped one of those cult factory paints).
• Track‑day bonus: an instructor can spot your brake points from space. Ask me how I know.

I borrowed a neon‑green 911 for a week once. Strangers waved. Kids pointed. My neighbor… did not. Cars are emotion—if the loud paint makes you grin every morning, it’s doing its job.

Goodwood’s heartbeat and a year that felt like five

Autocar’s chat with the Duke of Richmond is a reminder that Goodwood’s Festival of Speed and Revival remain motoring’s most charming cross‑generational meet‑ups. If you haven’t stood at the hay bales as a shrieking prototype blurs past, add it to your life list. It’s a family reunion with better noise.

Their 2025 highlights read like a shake‑up season: EV tech maturing fast, hybrids in a sweet spot, and heritage badges learning new tricks without losing the old ones. From my side of the windscreen, 2025 felt like the hinge between what EVs were and what they’re about to become.

MG4 semi‑solid battery: the bottom line

For MG4 shoppers, a semi‑solid battery by 2026 looks like an upgrade you’ll feel every day—quicker charges, calmer temps, maybe even a more settled ride. Meanwhile, China’s rise is no longer a headline; it’s happening in your street. California’s cameras might make commuting less chaotic (and less lenient), and Kia’s big‑frame ambitions can wait while the Tasman takes centre stage. The rest—Goodwood’s charm and retina‑scorching Porsches—reminds us why we love this circus.

Quick FAQ

• What is a semi‑solid‑state battery?
  It’s a lithium battery that uses a partially solid electrolyte structure. The aim is higher energy density and better thermal stability than conventional liquid‑electrolyte packs, without the manufacturing hurdles of full solid‑state.
• When will the MG4 with the semi‑solid battery arrive in Australia?
  CarExpert reports MG is targeting 2026.
• Will the MG4 semi‑solid battery charge faster?
  That’s the expectation—more consistent fast‑charge curves and better heat management. Real‑world tests will confirm whether it holds after multiple rapid sessions.
• Did BYD and Geely really crack the global top 10?
  Yes, according to CarExpert, coinciding with China’s overall sales overtaking Japan.
• Are radar cameras issuing tickets automatically in California?
  New laws allow automated radar enforcement with a phased rollout and posted signage, prioritizing high‑risk corridors.