Chinese electric vehicle (EV) batteries are set to become safer and more powerful, as carmakers including SAIC Motor and Chery Automobile outline road maps for the commercialisation of solid-state technology.
Solid-state batteries – which use a solid electrolyte to conduct ions between electrodes – are widely seen as a superior alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries that rely on liquid or gel-based materials. Analysts say the technology promises higher energy density, improved safety and longer driving range.
“Solid-state batteries are the answer to the future of mobility,” said Davis Zhang, a senior executive at Suzhou Hazardtex, a supplier of specialised batteries. “Chinese carmakers are poised to spearhead mass production, with domestic suppliers at the forefront of development.”
Compared with liquid-based batteries, solid-state variants can store more energy, a key factor in extending vehicle range. They are also less prone to overheating or catching fire in the event of overcharging or collisions, while offering longer operational lifespans.
However, cost remains a hurdle. Current EV batteries capable of delivering a range of 500km cost more than 20,000 yuan (US$2,906) to produce, while solid-state or semi-solid-state versions could cost up to three times more, according to Zhang.
Major battery makers, from Contemporary Amperex Technology Ltd (CATL) to smaller rival Svolt, have acknowledged that technical challenges still need to be resolved before large-scale commercialisation can take place, although they have not disclosed specific details.CATL, which accounted for a 42 per cent share of the global EV battery market in the first two months of this year, said it planned to begin mass production of solid-state batteries in 2027, with broader adoption expected by 2030.
