Solid-state EV batteries are rolling out in China, promising nearly 1,000 miles of range

Chinese battery manufacturers already account for well over 50% of the global market, but new battery types, including solid-state, are rolling out, promising to be safer, more efficient, and safer.

Solid-state EV batteries set to launch in China in 2026

Changan Automobile, one of China’s “Big Four” state-owned carmakers, will begin deploying solid-state batteries in vehicles over the next few months.

The Chinese auto giant announced on Tuesday that it will begin trial installations before the end of the third quarter. After unveiling its “Golden Bell” all-solid-state EV battery in late 2023, Changan said it plans to launch eight self-developed battery cells, including liquid, semi-solid, and solid-state by 2030.

At the time, Changan said it was developing new electrolytes and key processes for semi and all-solid-state EV batteries.

The all-solid-state EV battery has an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, enabling over 1,500 km (932 miles) CLTC driving range, the automaker previously said. Using AI-powered diagnostics, Changan said it improved safety by 70%.

In its latest update, Changan announced that it plans to begin deploying the batteries in EVs and robots for validation by the end of Q3 2026.

While it didn’t offer any further details, last March, the company said it aims to begin installing solid-state batteries in vehicles for validation in 2026, scaling up to mass production by 2027.

Changan is also working with CATL on developing sodium-ion batteries. Earlier this month, Changan and CATL launched “the world’s first mass-production sodium-ion passenger vehicle.” CATL’s Naxtra sodium-ion battery has an energy density of 175 Wh/kg, which the company said provides a pure electric range of 300-400 km (186-248 miles)

The timeline aligns with most other leading battery manufacturers and automakers that plan to launch solid-state batteries.

Changan is the latest in a string of recent breakthroughs in solid-state batteries. Last month, Dongfeng Motors, another one of China’s Big Four automakers, said it had begun testing a solid-state battery prototype in extreme cold. The solid-state battery boasts an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, which the company said provides more than 1,000 km (620 miles) CLTC driving range.

SAIC Motor, GAC Group, CATL, and BYD have revealed similar timelines with plans to begin mass production between 2027 and 2030.

Outside of China, Volkswagen, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, and several others are moving ahead with solid-state batteries.

In September, Mercedes drove a modified EQS over 1,200 km (745 miles) without charging, using solid-state battery cells supplied by US-based Factorial Energy.

Source: CarNewsChina, Changan Automobile