400 Wh/Kg and $150 per kWh: Volkswagen’s partners promise to create the cheapest solid-state batteries in the world
08/10/2026 15:00
Updated to
08/10/2026 15:00
With the contract signed with Volkswagen just a few hours ago to purchase 49% of the Sagunto factory, Gotion High Tech has recently announced a major breakthrough in its race to dominate solid-state batteries in China. At the 2026 World Manufacturing Convention held in Hefei, Gotion announced progress in producing its solid-state cells (SSB). The company also shared its commercialization goals: an energy density of 400 Wh/kg and a price of $150 per kWh.
The announcement comes amid fierce competition. Last March, Gotion already finalized the design of a 2 GWh production line for a new generation of batteries for electric vehicles. Since then, the company claims to have continued working on preparing its Jinshi (Golden Rock) cells for actual commercialization, including safety tests.
Penetration testing and low-cost production
According to Gotion, its SSB cells have withstood “extreme testing scenarios,” including drilling and high-temperature tests. The company claims that the new cells produced neither smoke nor flames during these tests, demonstrating that safety and energy density can coexist in solid-state batteries.
Beyond safety tests, the manufacturer has also revealed its budget targets for these new cells. The ultimate goal is to bring solid-state batteries to what the company calls the “yuan era,” referring to a benchmark price of 1 yuan per Wh. This equates to $150 per kWh, more than double the current average price of LFP cells in China.
350 to 400 Wh/kg with sulfur electrolyte
Gotion has also updated its energy density projections, stating that the new cell will achieve 400 Wh/kg. The company uses a sulfur-based solid electrolyte in its Jinshi cells and previously claimed an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, representing a significant increase from that earlier figure. What it has not yet revealed are the dates for its launch and mass production commencement.
The competition for solid-state batteries is heating up, with a number of Chinese battery manufacturers and car brands announcing plans to produce prototypes and test them in vehicles by 2027. BYD has grabbed headlines with its upcoming Yangwang flagship sedan, which could become the first car equipped with solid-state batteries to hit the market.
A company seeking to regain ground against its rivals
Founded in 2006 in Hefei, Gotion High-Tech is China’s fifth-largest battery manufacturer, with 20 manufacturing facilities worldwide. It also maintains a close relationship with Volkswagen, its largest shareholder. According to official tracking data, Gotion installed 4.61 GWh of batteries in August 2026, behind similar second-tier suppliers such as EVE Energy and CALB. The company has dropped to fifth place in the rankings, and solid-state batteries could present an opportunity to overtake its competitors.
