500 km recovered in 12 minutes: this new generation of battery is going into production, but for which models?
The Chinese manufacturer Svolt has just reached an important milestone in the development of semi-solid batteries. Its first 100 kWh battery packs have come off the production line in China. This is what to expect.
While automakers are making numerous announcements about future solid-electrolyte batteries, some Chinese companies have chosen an intermediate approach. This is the case with Svolt, formerly part of the Great Wall Motor (GWM) group, which has just announced the start of mass production for its new Dragon Armor battery.
500 km range restored in 12 minutes
Svolt has announced that the first units of its Dragon Armor solid-state battery have left its factory in Changzhou, in eastern China. This represents a significant milestone for this technology, which was still largely in the development stage just a few years ago. The manufacturer claims a capacity of 100 kWh, a voltage architecture of 900 volts, and a charging speed of up to 6C.
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According to its calculations, this battery could restore an equivalent of 500 kilometers of range in just 12 minutes. This is an impressive figure on paper, although the testing conditions were not specified.
A lifespan of one million kilometers?
Svolt also highlights the longevity of its new battery. Thanks to a cell stacking technology, the manufacturer claims over 3,000 charge cycles and a theoretical lifespan of more than one million kilometers. These figures will naturally need to be verified under real-world usage conditions.
Safety is another key advantage. The battery pack features liquid cooling on both sides and six layers of protection beneath its structure. Its shock resistance is said to be three times higher than the requirements set by Chinese regulations.
When will this technology make its way into our cars?
Unlike fully solid-state batteries, semi-solid-state models retain some liquid electrolyte. This approach allows for certain improvements in safety and performance while reducing manufacturing challenges and costs. Svolt claims it aims to offer this technology at a price comparable to that of conventional lithium-ion batteries.
Several automakers are said to have already chosen its new battery for future vehicles, but no models have been officially announced yet. According to CarNewsChina, Great Wall Motor’s large electric SUV, the Wey V8X, could be one of the first models to adopt it. This is a highly plausible hypothesis, as Svolt still maintains close ties with its former parent company.
But this technology could also interest Europeans. Svolt is no stranger to the Old Continent: the Chinese manufacturer supplies batteries for the Citroën ë-C3 and has formed a partnership with the German specialist Lion Smart. Even more interestingly, Svolt announced in January 2026 that it had begun delivering a first-generation solid-state batteries to an European brand, without specifying which one.
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In short, one can assume that this new 100 kWh battery might eventually be used in models sold here. But nothing is confirmed at this stage.