Solid-state EV batteries are coming sooner than expected after another breakthrough

After achieving a breakthrough earlier this week, Greater Bay Technology said it aims to launch the world’s first mass-producible all-solid-state battery this year.

China ramps up solid-state EV battery production

Greater Bay Technology (GBT) is a battery manufacturer backed by China’s GAC Group. The battery startup focuses on developing ultra-fast charging and solid-state batteries.

It even set the world record for the “fastest charging technology for electric vehicles” in 2024 with its Extreme Fast Charging (XFC) batteries, which recharged from 0% to 80% in just 7.5 minutes.

On Monday, the company announced it had hit another major milestone, with its first A-sample all-solid-state battery cells rolling off the production line.

The A-sample battery cells contain no liquid electrolyte and successfully passed needle penetration, extrusion, and thermal shock tests without a fire or explosion.

GBT said the breakthrough enables all-solid-state EV batteries to move from the lab to industrialization as it aims to begin mass production in 2026. According to Chinese news outlet, NE-Time, GBT aims to launch the “world’s first mass-producible all-solid-state battery” with GWh-level mass production and in-vehicle use by 2026.

The new tech overcomes the hurdles that have prevented all-solid-state batteries from hitting the mass market with a new organic-inorganic composite ESC all-solid-state electrolyte system.

GBT’s battery tech has already been reviewed and is receiving support from China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

With a single cell energy density of 260-500 Wh/kg, considerably higher than traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries, the cells enable a longer driving range, faster charging, and more interior space.

The new tech enables stable 2-3C fast charging, which has been another major barrier for solid-state EV batteries. It also showed minimal cycle-life degradation during long-term, repeated charge-and-discharge cycles.

GBT has applied for over 50 patents related to solid-state batteries, including core processes, equipment, electrolyte materials, cell manufacturing, and materials systems, covering the entire tech chain.

GBT’s latest breakthrough will help propel all-solid-state batteries from the lab to mass production, providing a safer, more efficient, and longer-lasting option for electric vehicles, robotics, and low-altitude aircraft like eVTOLs.

The news comes after GAC Group announced in November that it had completed its first all-solid-state battery production line with an over 60 Ah capacity. GAC aims to ramp up mass production between 2027 and 2030.

GAC Group said its solid-state EV batteries have an energy density of over 400 Wh/kg and will deliver a CLTC driving range of over 1,000 km (621 miles).

Several leading automakers and battery manufacturers aim to begin producing solid-state batteries over the next few years, including CATL, BYD, Volkswagen (QuantumScape), Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and Factorial Energy, to name a few.