CATL and BYD plan to begin trial production of solid-state batteries starting in 2027

Image: CATL (illustrative)

The competition for solid-state batteries in China is intensifying due to the plans announced by leading battery manufacturers. According to Car News China, CATL intends to begin small-scale trial production of solid-state battery cells in 2027.

In doing so, this company among the top battery manufacturers is aligning with BYD’s timeline, which also aims to start a testing phase for this technology in 2027. BYD began as a battery manufacturer, continues to develop advanced batteries and related systems, and is now considered a leading producer of electric vehicles.

Automobile and battery manufacturers are investing significant resources in advancing solid-state battery technology. This technology promises higher capacity and lower weight for batteries, as well as improved safety.

In a Q&A session with investors, representatives from CATL emphasized their commitment to ongoing research, according to the report. The progress in development is said to be industry-leading. Production on pilot lines is expected to begin next year, per the company’s statements.

Despite these ambitions, CATL’s leadership urges caution regarding a rapid market rollout. CEO Robin Zeng stated that mass-market adoption of solid-state batteries is still years away. He also noted that technical limitations will restrict the first commercial batches to premium electric vehicle platforms.

CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, aims to achieve a higher level of technological maturity by 2027. This is intended to enable pilot production and validation under real-world conditions. Large-scale production is not expected until a threshold of one million vehicles is reached, which will likely happen before 2030. Vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries for end consumers are probably still years away from becoming available.

Also interesting

About the author

Thomas Langenbucher is an expert in electromobility with professional experience in the automotive industry and finance sector. Since 2011, he has been covering electric vehicles, sustainable technologies, and mobility solutions on ecomento.de. Learn more.

Reader interactions