Solid-state batteries are called the “holy grail” of EV battery tech for a reason, right? The new battery tech is quickly moving from the lab to the real world, with some claiming to unlock over 800 miles of driving range.
Solid-state EV batteries promise to double driving range
Several major Chinese automakers have begun, or plan to begin, testing solid-state batteries in vehicles over the next few months.
BYD and CATL, which accounted for over 55% of global EV battery sales last year, both plan to begin small-scale production in 2027. Meanwhile, the new battery tech is already making its way to the real world.
Earlier this year, Dongfeng Motors announced it had begun testing a solid-state battery prototype in the extreme cold. The battery boasted an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, which Dongfeng said provides a range of over 1,000 km (620 miles) under CLTC conditions.
Changan Automobile said it will begin trial installations before the end of Q3 2026. With an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, the company claims its “Golden Bell” all-solid-state battery can deliver over 1,500 km (932 miles) CLTC driving range.
Chery, another leading Chinese car manufacturer, revealed its all-solid-state battery that can also achieve a range of over 1,500 km (932 miles) during its “Battery Night” event on Wednesday.
The new battery is part of its “Rhino” series, which also includes various energy density levels. The all-solid-state battery has an energy density of 600 Wh/kg and Chery aims to begin testing in vehicles next year, starting with the Exeed ES8.
Chery’s Rhino series includes a 400 Wh/kg solid-state “S-Series” battery and a Rhino “E liquid” semi-solid-state battery.
The S-Series will be equipped in the Exceed ES sedan, and the semi-solid-state battery will debut in the Exceed EX7 later this year.
With up to 1,200 kW of charging power, Chery said the Rhino E liquid battery can add 500 km (310 miles) of range in 8 minutes.
Chery’s new solid-state battery comes after BYD launched its Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging Technology earlier this month.
BYD’s new charging stations can deliver 1,500 kW of power, enabling vehicles to charge from 10% to 70% in just 5 minutes, or 10% to 97% in 9 minutes. The BYD Blade Battery 2.0 is a lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery that can provide over 1,000 km (621 miles) CLTC driving range.
Solid-state batteries are becoming a key focus for next-gen EV battery tech, Chery said, offering higher energy density, a longer lifespan, longer driving range, faster charging, and superior safety.
Chery aims to begin testing the solid-state battery later this year in limited applications with plans to open it up to the mass market in 2027.
Electrek’s Take
While China aims to maintain its lead on the global market with new battery chemistries, Japan, Europe, Korea, and even the US are racing to bring the promising new battery tech to market.
In September, Mercedes drove a modified EQS over 1,200 km (745 miles) using 106 Ah solid-state battery cells supplied by US-based Factorial Energy. Factorial launched the first commercial solid-state battery program in the US through a collaboration with Karma Automotive earlier this year.
During an interview with The New York Times in December, Huang said that Factorial’s solid-state EV batteries could be used in EVs as early as 2027.
According to Factorial, the Solstice platform has an energy density of up to 450 Wh/kg, which is 80% higher than that of traditional lithium-ion batteries. It can achieve 50% longer range, the company said, capable of providing over 600 miles.
Factorial has partnerships with major OEMs, including Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Hyundai, and Kia, to advance the new battery tech.
While 600, 800, or 1,000 miles is way more than the average driver actually needs, the new battery developments are proving that EVs will only become more efficient and safer.
With gas prices soaring, how’s a long-range EV sound now?
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