Strong-state batteries, lengthy heralded as the best power resolution for the brand new power period with their excessive power density, quick charging, and stability benefits, might face vital delays in reaching mass manufacturing. Regardless of quite a few automakers asserting formidable manufacturing timelines as early as 2026, specialists at the moment are suggesting these targets is likely to be unrealistic.
On the current 2025 China Automotive Discussion board, Wang Fang, Chief Scientist at China Automotive Know-how Analysis Centre, recognized 4 important issues that solid-state batteries want to beat: unclear ion conduction channels, complicated manufacturing processes, insufficient security controls, and high-volume manufacturing challenges.
In essence, the expertise, supplies, and value points surrounding solid-state batteries might show troublesome to resolve within the quick time period. Whereas these batteries theoretically supply complete benefits and massive market potential, the query stays whether or not shoppers will ever have the chance to drive autos powered by solid-state batteries in accordance with the introduced timelines.
Formally introduced solid-state battery mass manufacturing plan enterprise listing
| Automobile Producer | Plan | Battery Firm | Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD | 2027: Begin batch demonstration automobile meeting 2030: Massive-scale utility |
CATL | 2027: Small batch manufacturing |
| Chery Auto | 2026: Automobile set up (directional operation) 2027: Batch market launch |
CALB | 2028: Mass manufacturing |
| Toyota Motor Company | 2030: Mass manufacturing | Penghui Vitality | Estimated 2026: Mass manufacturing |
| SAIC Group | 2026: Mass manufacturing | Farasis Vitality | Finish of 2025: Mass manufacturing of 60Ah sulfide all-solid-state batteries |
| GAC Group | 2026: Mass manufacturing | Expertise New Vitality | 2027: Batch manufacturing |
| Changan Auto | 2026: Automobile set up verification 2027: Regularly advance mass manufacturing |
EVE Vitality | 2026: Mass manufacturing, 2028: Iteration |
| BMW Group | Earlier than 2030: Scale mass manufacturing | Svolt Vitality | After 2030: Mass manufacturing |
Security issues stay
Wang Fang was direct concerning the present limitations of solid-state batteries: “Whereas solid-state batteries certainly have wider security boundaries than liquid batteries, as soon as these boundaries are breached, the results might be extra extreme than with liquid batteries.”
This assertion comes at a time when EV hearth incidents have heightened shopper issues about battery security. In response, automakers have been implementing rigorous testing protocols, typically exceeding nationwide requirements, to exhibit their dedication to security.
In Might 2025, the China Society of Automotive Engineers launched the “All-Strong-State Battery Willpower Technique” (T/CSAE 434-2025), which clearly defines “all-solid-state batteries” as requiring ion switch solely by means of strong electrolytes, making a strict technical boundary between these and hybrid solid-liquid electrolyte batteries. This customary goals to stop advertising and marketing hype round phrases like “all-solid-state” or “semi-solid-state.”
Whereas firms like SAIC Group and Gotion Excessive-Tech have made claims about their solid-state batteries’ security options, these stay largely untested in real-world situations. Laboratory outcomes don’t essentially translate to real-world efficiency in mass-produced autos.
Market shifts scale back urgency
The automotive market panorama has modified in recent times. Hybrid autos, as soon as thought-about merely transitional, have gained market traction. In response to the China Passenger Automobile Affiliation, plug-in hybrid and extended-range hybrid autos confirmed progress of 31.5% and 16.5% respectively within the first half of 2025.
New power automobile market – June 2025 manufacturing, retail, and wholesale evaluation report
| Class | Merchandise | BEV | PHEV | EREV | NEV Complete |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | June | 747.0 | 327.0 | 126.0 | 1200.0 |
| Might | 731.0 | 326.0 | 119.0 | 1176.0 | |
| June 2024 | 524.0 | 312.0 | 100.0 | 935.0 | |
| YoY | 42.5% | 5.1% | 26.2% | 28.3% | |
| MoM | 2.1% | 0.6% | 5.3% | 2.0% | |
| Cumulative | 3995.0 | 1892.0 | 570.0 | 6457.0 | |
| Cumulative 2024 | 2759.0 | 1438.0 | 457.0 | 4654.0 | |
| Cumulative YoY | 44.8% | 31.6% | 24.6% | 38.7% | |
| Retail | June | 661.0 | 334.0 | 116.0 | 1111.0 |
| Might | 613.0 | 298.0 | 116.0 | 1027.0 | |
| June 2024 | 496.0 | 253.0 | 107.0 | 856.0 | |
| YoY | 33.1% | 32.4% | 7.8% | 29.7% | |
| MoM | 7.8% | 12.3% | -0.3% | 8.2% | |
| Cumulative | 3329.0 | 1602.0 | 538.0 | 5468.0 | |
| Cumulative 2024 | 2423.0 | 1218.0 | 461.0 | 4102.0 | |
| Cumulative YoY | 37.4% | 31.5% | 16.5% | 33.3% | |
| Wholesale | June | 771.0 | 348.0 | 122.0 | 1241.0 |
| Might | 760.0 | 341.0 | 122.0 | 1222.0 | |
| Jun 2024 | 554.0 | 316.0 | 107.0 | 977.0 | |
| YoY | 39.2% | 10.1% | 13.6% | 27.0% | |
| MoM | 1.5% | 2.2% | 0.3% | 1.6% | |
| Cumulative | 3957.0 | 1920.0 | 570.0 | 6447.0 | |
| Cumulative 2024 | 2809.0 | 1422.0 | 462.0 | 4693.0 | |
| Cumulative YoY | 40.9% | 35.0% | 23.4% | 37.4% |
Moreover, enhancements in liquid lithium battery expertise have addressed some earlier limitations. BYD‘s tremendous e-platform, launched in March 2025, options flash-charging batteries that may present 400 kilometres of vary with 5 minutes of charging. Equally, Zeekr and Huawei have launched high-power charging options as much as 1.5MW.
Battery swapping expertise has additionally expanded, with Nio working over 3,000 swap stations—greater than the variety of supercharging stations operated by Li Auto and XPeng mixed.
With the event of hybrid expertise, fast-charging capabilities, and battery-swapping programs, the need for solid-state batteries has diminished considerably. They’ve shifted from being important improvements to non-obligatory upgrades.
Value challenges persist
In response to analysis from consulting agency Battery Intelligence, the unit price of solid-state batteries reaches 1,200 yuan/kWh, greater than 3 times the price of conventional liquid lithium batteries. Mixed with the substantial analysis and growth bills already incurred, early solid-state battery autos will inevitably include premium worth tags, limiting their preliminary mass-market potential.
In response to Chinese language media 36kr, given these technical, efficiency, security, and value challenges, business observers stay sceptical about producers’ introduced manufacturing timelines. Optimistic estimates counsel that widespread adoption of solid-state batteries should require roughly 5 years.
