New Electric Vehicle Batteries Offering 1,000km Range Soon in the UAE

Over the past decade, electric vehicles have made significant progress, evolving from a novelty to a mainstream option. Just like around the world, these battery-powered vehicles are now a common sight in the UAE. In the early days, electric vehicles had limitations largely due to their battery size. However, as technology continues to advance, batteries have not only improved but also become highly efficient. As the prices of batteries fall, EVs are becoming more affordable, and that is why they are becoming more popular. 

This has also led to further research into expanding battery range from the current stage, which is already happening in some advanced markets like China. Today, most EVs offer anywhere between 400-600 km of range depending on the battery size. However, next-generation solid-state batteries are coming, and they are no longer science fiction. Automakers are testing them right now, and they promise something that changes everything about EVs. Imagine 1,000 km of real driving range on a single charge, that will really be a game-changer. 

This is nothing short of spectacular for car users in the UAE. You can literally go from Dubai to Liwa and back without charging. You can plan weekend trips without worrying about charging, and this is not in the distant future but may happen sooner.

Technological shift 

Today's EV batteries use liquid electrolytes, which move electricity between cells through a chemical soup. It works, and has been the major solution for EV, but they have limitations. This is due to the energy density, as current battery packs hold about 250-300 Wh/kg (watt-hours per kilogram). That means you need a huge, heavy battery to get real range. A Tesla Model 3's 75 kWh battery weighs about 500 kg.

This can now change all thanks to solid-state batteries, as they use a solid material instead of a liquid. Within the same space, more energy can be stored, which is something 400+ Wh/kg, which turns out to be 30-50% more energy in the same weight. More energy per kilogram means either a higher range with the same size battery, or the same range with a smaller, lighter battery.

Solid-state batteries will cost more to produce initially. Early vehicles with this tech will carry premium pricing. So realistically, a 1000 km range EV may cost over AED 150,000 in 2026. Early adopters pay more. Within three to four years, as manufacturing scales and competition increases, costs will normalise, just as happened with current generation EVs. However, it is fair to expect that by 2030, solid-state batteries will be standard on mid-range and premium EVs.

Who's Testing

There are a number of global automakers around the world that are currently testing solid-state battery technologies. One among them is the German luxury brand, Mercedes-Benz, which already embarked on this project by road testing solid-state battery vehicles in February 2025 with a retrofitted EQS sedan. The testing vehicle promises 1,000 km of electric range. Not just a claim, they’re driving it on real roads right now.

Another German brand, BMW, is doing similar work with Solid Power. They're testing a prototype i7 fitted with sulphide-based solid-state cells. The plan is to use them in upcoming Neue Klasse models launching in the late 2020s.

Toyota and Nissan are both deep in development. Toyota's target is 2027-28 with a high-performance battery combining solid-state tech with advanced lithium-ion chemistry. Nissan is targeting the same window with all-solid-state batteries.

But the real deal is with Chinese brands, since the country is a global leader in EVs. Local brands are aggressively pursuing the goal of achieving 1000 km of range. GAC Aion announced it will launch all-solid-state batteries in 2026 under their Hyper brand. With an energy density of 400Wh/kg, this means over 1000 km. They are not testing but building production lines, which means far closer than are far closer than any western brand.

Another automaker, Dongfeng, is even more aggressive. They're planning to begin mass production in September 2026 for a 350 Wh/kg solid-state battery. This battery can add 450 km of range in just five minutes. Five minutes, meaning exactly like a petrol car's refuelling experience.

Here's what matters. When can you actually buy one?

Manufacturer	Battery Type	Range Claim	Energy Density	Realistic UAE Availability
GAC Aion	All-Solid-State	1,000+ km	400 Wh/kg	Late 2026 / Early 2027
Dongfeng	Solid-State	1,000 km	350 Wh/kg	Mid 2027
Toyota	Hybrid Solid-State	1,000+ km	~380 Wh/kg	2028-2029
BMW	Solid-State	1,000+ km	400+ Wh/kg	2028-2029
Mercedes	Solid-State	1,000 km	~400 Wh/kg	2028-2029
Nissan	All-Solid-State	1,000+ km	400+ Wh/kg	2028-2029

Chinese brands move the fastest. GAC Aion and Dongfeng could have vehicles in UAE showrooms by late 2026 or mid-2027. Don't expect them at every dealer, but they'll be available. German manufacturers are more cautious. Mercedes, BMW, and Audi will probably wait until 2028-2029 to launch solid-state vehicles. They're refining, testing, and ensuring nothing breaks when it hits the market. Toyota typically launches technology when it's perfected, not first. Expect 2028 or later.

Charging Speed

Range gets headlines, but charging speed might matter more for daily life. Dongfeng's solid-state battery gives 450 km of range in five minutes. That's comparable to filling a petrol tank; you’re no longer planning your day around charging. Toyota's version gets an 80% charge in 10 minutes or less.

Compare that to current fast-charging. A Tesla Model 3 takes 25-30 minutes to hit 80% on a Supercharger. These new batteries cut that to 10-15 minutes. For someone driving from Dubai to Fujairah and back daily, that's meaningful. Quick charging between cities, no extended waits.

EVs Available Now

If you're buying an EV today, you're not waiting for dead batteries. The Tesla Model 3 Long Range has over 500+ km per charge in real driving. The ZEEKR 7X Performance reaches 400-500 km depending on conditions. The Audi A6 E-tron offers around 700 km on the WLTP cycle, probably 550+ km real-world in UAE heat.

These are excellent cars, and they handle daily driving and weekend trips comfortably. The jump to 1,000 km is transformative, but current EVs aren't suddenly obsolete. Think of it practically: buy a solid EV now, enjoy years of practical ownership, then upgrade when the 1,000 km range becomes mainstream.

You should also consider the practical aspect of owning an EV. In the UAE, heat affects battery efficiency. A vehicle that gets 1,000 km in mild conditions might achieve 850-900 km in Dubai summer heat. That's still a massive range. Solid-state batteries handle extreme temperatures better than current tech. The solid electrolyte is more stable at high temperatures. So the efficiency loss in summer is lower than with liquid-electrolyte batteries.

The UAE government wants EV adoption, and the charging infrastructure is already extensive. Once affordable 1,000 km range EVs arrive, adoption accelerates dramatically. For used car markets, current EVs remain valuable. Range anxiety disappears when you own a 1,000 km EV, but current vehicles with 400-500 km range still serve practical needs.

So you have two choices right now. Buy a current EV now. Enjoy years of practical ownership, and get upgraded to 1,000 km generation when technology matures. Or you can wait until late 2026 or 2027 for first-generation solid-state EVs from Chinese manufacturers or early premium releases from German brands. Newer tech, but fewer dealers and less established support networks initially. There's no wrong choice. Current EVs are solid. Waiting for 1,000 km tech is reasonable if you can hold off.

Conclusion

The new solid-state EV batteries are promising a 1,000km range transition from lab prototypes to production vehicles in 2026-2027. Several automakers are working; the Chinese are ahead of others. But by any practical way, the real 1000 km battery reality is at least 3 years away. Mainstream availability with multiple options expected by 2028-2030 in the Emirates.