Today’s Drive Notes: Semi‑Solid Batteries, China’s Big Swing, and Cameras That Ticket Themselves

I’ve been filing these end‑of‑year road notes for two decades, and some mornings feel like a pit lane—noisy, busy, slightly chaotic. Today is one of those. We’ve got battery chemistry that could rewrite the EV playbook, Chinese brands elbowing into the global top 10, California letting radar cameras do the ticketing for you, and Kia’s truck plans reshuffling its SUV ambitions. Plus a splash of Porsche paint so loud it practically needs earplugs. Let’s get the key in the ignition.

MG4 is getting a semi‑solid‑state battery—Australia from 2026

According to CarExpert, the MG4 is due to receive what MG is calling a world‑first semi‑solid‑state battery, with Australian availability targeted for 2026. I’ve spent enough time in a standard MG4 to appreciate its cheeky rear‑drive balance and honest range for the money; if this battery delivers on the usual semi‑solid promises—higher energy density, better thermal stability, stronger charge curves—we’re looking at a meaningful step, not a marginal tweak.

Why this matters when you’re actually living with the car:

• Potentially more range without upsizing the pack—handy for winter commutes and weekend coastal detours.
• Improved thermal behavior could keep fast‑charge speeds steadier after a couple of back‑to‑back rapid sessions.
• Packaging flexibility might free a few liters for cabin or cargo space. Small wins matter in a compact hatch.
• Safety: semi‑solid chemistries tend to be more tolerant of abuse and heat—peace of mind when parking in the sun all day.

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

When I tried the current MG4 on rough country roads, it felt light on its feet if a little chatty over expansion joints. A lighter, denser pack could let MG soften the edge without sacrificing control. Key questions now: cost, warranty, and whether charge speeds tick up in real‑world use (not just on lab graphs).

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

CarExpert also reports that BYD and Geely have pushed into the world’s top ten automakers as China’s new‑car sales overtake Japan. We’ve seen this coming from the driver’s seat: fleets of BYD plug‑in hybrids in Europe, MGs and BYDs filling Australian suburbs, and Geely’s wider web (Volvo, Polestar, Lotus) tightening its global grip.

What it means for shoppers and rivals:

• Price pressure: more well‑equipped cars at lower price points, especially EVs and PHEVs.
• Technology cycles compress: over‑the‑air updates and rapid facelifts arrive almost yearly.
• Brand confidence rising: early adopters become advocates—resale and dealer support tend to follow.

I chatted with a few BYD owners at a charger recently; the thread was value, not perfection. One mentioned a slightly laggy infotainment boot on cold mornings, another praised the real‑world efficiency. Net result: they’d buy again. That’s how market share snowballs.

California green‑lights radar cameras that can auto‑ticket

Carscoops notes that California will allow radar enforcement cameras to issue tickets automatically under new laws. The policy wonk in me applauds consistency; the driver in me hears the chorus of “but what about edge cases?”—dirty plates, misreads, varying speed limits, and the human gray area we all live in.

Practical notes for the commute:

• Expect cameras on known high‑risk corridors first—think schools, arterials, collision hotspots.
• There’s usually a warning or rollout period; watch for signage changes on your daily route.
• Calibration and dispute processes matter—hang onto dashcam clips if you run one.
• Adaptive cruise with a buffer set a few mph/km/h under the limit suddenly looks like cheap insurance.

On a recent LA run, I relied on traffic‑aware cruise to keep me honest in the ebb and flow. If the state’s automation makes that calm more common, I’m for it—so long as the system is transparent and fair.

Kia’s rugged SUV plans hit a snag—blame the Tasman

Per Carscoops, Kia’s rugged SUV project has reportedly been slowed as the brand pours energy into the Tasman, its new pickup. Product planning is a finite game: engineering bandwidth, supplier capacity, crash testing—something always slips when the board lights up for an all‑new truck.

If you were eyeing a body‑on‑frame Kia to square off against a Land Cruiser Prado or Ford Everest, you may be waiting longer. In the meantime:

• Need proper towing and dirt‑road composure now? Consider a ladder‑frame alternative from Toyota, Ford, or Isuzu.
• Light off‑road and family duty? Kia’s existing crossovers remain strong on-road, if less trail‑proof.
• If the Tasman lands with the right gears, expect its chassis to spawn the SUV later—platform sharing is the modern way.

I’ve spent muddy weekends in SUVs that were all talk on spec sheets and wheezy on actual hills. If Kia takes a beat to get the geometry, cooling, and low‑speed calibration right, the wait will be worth it.

Car culture: when your Porsche marker pen runs out of ink

Also from Carscoops: someone’s Porsche has been wrapped/painted in colors bold enough to guide aircraft in fog. Personalization is part of the fun. Just remember two things:

• Resale: the wilder the hue, the narrower the audience (except for specific factory paints—Porsche has unicorns).
• Practicality: at dawn track days, loud colors make it easier for instructors to spot your braking points. Ask me how I know.

I once borrowed a neon‑green 911 for a week. It drew smiles, thumbs‑ups, and one very displeased neighbor. Cars are emotion—go bright if it makes you grin.

Goodwood’s heartbeat and a year that felt like five

Autocar sat down with the Duke of Richmond—the custodian of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Revival, which remain motorsport’s most charming cross‑generational parties. If you’ve never stood on the hill as a screaming prototype blurs past, put it on your list. It’s the closest the car world comes to a family reunion.

Autocar’s 2025 highlights recap reads like the year felt: tech leaps, a few surprise comebacks, and plenty of enthusiast joy in between. From my seat, 2025 will be remembered as a hinge—EVs maturing quickly, hybrids hitting a sweet spot, and legacy badges learning new tricks without losing their old ones.

The takeaway

Semi‑solid batteries hint at real EV gains you’ll feel every morning. China’s rise is now tangible in driveways, not just spreadsheets. Policy is nudging us toward steadier speeds, and Kia’s big‑frame ambitions look more “later” than “now” as the Tasman gets the spotlight. The rest—Goodwood’s magic and high‑viz Porsches—reminds us why we care in the first place.

Quick FAQ

• What is a semi‑solid‑state battery?
  A lithium battery that uses a partially solid electrolyte structure. It targets higher energy density and better thermal stability than conventional liquid‑electrolyte packs.
• When will the MG4 with the semi‑solid battery arrive in Australia?
  CarExpert reports MG is targeting 2026.
• Did BYD and Geely really crack the global top 10?
  Yes, according to reporting from CarExpert, as China’s overall sales have overtaken Japan.
• Are radar cameras issuing tickets automatically in California?
  New state laws will allow automated radar enforcement. Expect a phased rollout focused on high‑risk corridors with posted signage.
• What’s going on with Kia’s rugged SUV?
  Carscoops reports it’s been delayed or deprioritized as Kia concentrates on launching the Tasman pickup first.