Recently, CCTV Finance’s Dialogue program brought together several leading figures and industry experts from the battery sector to engage in in-depth discussions on key issues shaping the industry. Guests on the program included Yu Huigen, Chairman of Beijing WeLion New Energy, Wang Xiaoshen, President of Ganfeng Lithium, and Zhang Jianhui, Chairman and CEO of HyperStrong, among others.
During the discussion, Yu Huigen revealed that, based on current laboratory research progress, the energy density of solid-state batteries has reached as high as 824 Wh/kg, with the potential to exceed 1,000 Wh/kg in the longer term. He noted that in the early stages of commercialization, solid-state batteries are expected to be first adopted in applications that are relatively insensitive to cost but demand extremely high safety performance, such as emerging fields with strong growth potential, including humanoid robots.
Yu further added that once all-solid-state batteries achieve large-scale mass production, their overall costs are expected to decline significantly. At that stage, the total cost is projected to be at least 20% lower than that of liquid electrolyte batteries available at the same time.
The Solid-State Battery Industry Accelerates Its Development
Global shipments of solid-state batteries (including semi-solid) reached 5.3 GWh in 2024, a 4.3-fold year-on-year increase, with all volumes coming from semi-solid batteries produced primarily by Chinese manufacturers . As of early 2026, the industry has moved decisively from lab validation to production ramp-up: automakers including Dongfeng are set to launch mass-produced models with 350Wh/kg semi-solid cells this year, achieving 1,000 km range.
EVTank further forecasts that by 2030, the global solid-state battery market will enter a phase of large-scale shipments, with total deliveries expected to reach 614.1 GWh, of which all-solid-state batteries will account for nearly 30%. China’s semi-solid battery capacity reached approximately 10 GWh in 2025, serving energy storage systems and high-end EVs . By 2027, capacity is projected to expand to 50 GWh, as semi-solid batteries fulfill their role as the transitional pathway to full solid-state—a trajectory defined by the technology itself rather than market speculation . Industry consensus now targets 2027 for small-scale solid-state vehicle integration, with mass production expected around 2030.
In terms of technical performance, mass-produced semi-solid batteries have achieved energy densities of 300–400 Wh/kg, approximately 1.5 times that of mainstream ternary lithium-ion batteries (200–300 Wh/kg) and more than twice that of lithium iron phosphate batteries (150–210 Wh/kg), demonstrating a clear performance advantage.
Solid-state batteries deliver fundamental safety advantages over conventional liquid electrolytes, validated through rigorous third-party testing. Wanxiang A123’s semi-solid cells recently withstood simultaneous penetration by 10 steel needles with no fire, smoke, or thermal propagation . GAC’s 400Wh/kg full-solid-state prototypes have passed 200°C thermal chamber and nail penetration tests.
These results confirm the intrinsic safety of solid-state architectures, moving beyond theoretical advantages to verifiable performance benchmarks. Moreover, they retain over 70% of their capacity at temperatures as low as –30°C and maintain stable output at high temperatures of up to 60°C, significantly enhancing both safety and environmental adaptability.
In terms of service life, semi-solid state batteries can achieve a cycle life of approximately 12,000 cycles, significantly exceeding the typical 3,000–5,000 cycles of conventional liquid electrolyte batteries. This represents an overall service life extension of more than 50%, providing reliable assurance for long-term operation scenarios.
On the application side, demonstration projects for semi-solid and solid-state batteries are being implemented at an accelerating pace. Wang Xiaoshen, President of Ganfeng Lithium, noted that in emerging fields such as electric aviation, high energy density has become a decisive advantage. As the low-altitude economy gradually takes shape, solid-state batteries are beginning to identify commercially viable application scenarios.
Zhang Jianhui, Chairman and CEO of HyperStrong, also stated that semi-solid-state technology has been progressively integrated into existing battery systems, playing a crucial role in enhancing the overall safety of liquid electrolyte batteries. Energy storage systems based on semi-solid-state batteries have already been deployed at scale in regions such as Zhejiang.
At the vehicle and industrialization level, corporate investment and deployment continue to deepen. Market sources indicate that GAC Group’s all-solid-state battery pilot production line has entered operation, successfully completing the full manufacturing process for automotive-grade cells exceeding 60 Ah, with energy density surpassing 400 Wh/kg. The company plans to achieve vehicle integration by 2026. SAIC Motor, meanwhile, has announced that it will officially deliver vehicles equipped with all-solid-state batteries in 2027, with single-cell energy density also exceeding 400 Wh/kg and a projected vehicle driving range approaching 1,500 kilometers.
The solid-state battery industry is now navigating the critical transition from ‘sample’ to ‘product’. In 2026, multiple automakers—including Dongfeng, GAC, and BYD—have announced pilot production lines or major breakthroughs, targeting small-scale vehicle integration between 2026 and 2027. However, key bottlenecks remain: cost per kWh is still significantly higher than liquid lithium batteries (currently $158.8 vs. $118.7), and industry leaders caution that full commercialization with real-world economic viability is at least five years away . Standardization is underway—with national EV solid-state battery terminology standards expected by July 2026—yet material supply chains and dedicated production equipment still require substantial build-out.
Solid-State Battery Technology Continues to Achieve Breakthroughs
As one of China’s most authoritative media platforms, China Central Television (CCTV) News’ coverage of the latest research progress in all-solid-state batteries has attracted widespread attention both within and beyond the industry. In October this year, CCTV News reported that Chinese research teams had successfully overcome key technical bottlenecks in the field of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries, laying an important foundation for breakthrough improvements in solid-state battery performance. The publicly disclosed technical achievements are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
First, interface self-healing ion conduction technology.
The Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with multiple research teams, has developed an iodine-ion-based interfacial regulation technology. During battery operation, this technology utilizes the electric field to actively guide iodine ions to migrate toward the electrode–electrolyte interface, where they dynamically fill and repair microscopic gaps and pores. This significantly improves interfacial contact between the electrode and the electrolyte, effectively addressing the long-standing challenge of interfacial stability that has hindered the practical application of all-solid-state batteries.
Second, high-toughness flexible electrolyte structural technology.
Researchers at the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, have introduced polymer materials to construct a flexible supporting framework for solid electrolytes, enabling a combination of high mechanical strength and high ductility. The electrolyte maintains structural integrity after undergoing 20,000 bending cycles and large-amplitude twisting, allowing it to accommodate deformation under complex operating conditions. In addition, functional chemical components incorporated into the flexible framework not only enhance lithium-ion migration rates but also improve lithium-ion adsorption capability, increasing the overall energy storage capacity of the battery by approximately 86%.
Third, high-voltage-resistant fluorinated electrolyte reinforcement technology.
Research teams at Tsinghua University have modified solid electrolytes using fluorinated polyether materials, fully leveraging the excellent high-voltage resistance of fluorine. This approach enables the formation of a stable fluoride protective layer on the electrode surface, effectively suppressing the risk of electrolyte breakdown under high-voltage conditions. Validation tests show that batteries incorporating this technology did not experience explosion under nail penetration tests or 120°C thermal chamber tests at a fully charged state, significantly enhancing overall performance in terms of high safety and long driving range.
Beyond the achievements disclosed above, a large number of key solid-state battery technologies—considered core competitive assets of lithium battery companies—have yet to be publicly revealed. According to available information, XinJie Energy has established the world’s first mass production line for lithium metal solid-state batteries with an energy density of no less than 450 Wh/kg. Its products have been successfully applied in EHang’s eVTOL aircraft, effectively doubling flight endurance. Meanwhile, Chery Automobile has unveiled an all-solid-state battery module with an energy density of up to 600 Wh/kg and plans to achieve full-scale mass production by 2027.
Overall, driven by the dual engines of scientific innovation and industrialization efforts, all-solid-state batteries are accelerating their transition from laboratory research to engineering implementation and commercial application. Their strategic value in high-end transportation and emerging equipment sectors is becoming increasingly prominent.
Intense Competition Emerges Across Two Major Application Scenarios
From the above analysis, it is evident that while automotive-grade solid-state batteries represent the long-term direction, the market is currently dominated by semi-solid-state batteries. In contrast, competition around solid-state batteries is most intense in the low-altitude economy and humanoid robotics sectors.
In the low-altitude economy, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft impose extremely stringent requirements on battery energy density and safety. The 15–20 minutes of endurance offered by conventional liquid electrolyte batteries is far from sufficient for commercial operations. The high energy density of solid-state batteries directly addresses this critical bottleneck.
Ganfeng Lithium has introduced solid-state battery solutions tailored for low-altitude applications and has reached cooperation agreements with leading eVTOL companies, with samples entering the airworthiness certification process.
XinJie Energy’s “Falcon” battery, with an energy density of 480 Wh/kg, doubles eVTOL flight endurance and has been delivered in volume to customers such as EHang.
Farasis Energy’s second-generation semi-solid-state battery (330 Wh/kg) has secured nomination from a leading Chinese flying car company and is scheduled for mass production and delivery in 2025.
For low-altitude mobility, China Innovation Aviation (CIA) has developed the 9-series high-nickel/silicon semi-solid cylindrical battery, which combines high energy density with advanced safety features, meeting aviation-grade safety standards. It supports 6C fast-charging scenarios and achieves an energy density of up to 350 Wh/kg, making it suitable for various flight vehicle types including multi-rotor, compound-wing, and vectored-wing designs. CIA has already established collaborations with multiple companies in the low-altitude mobility sector.
In the humanoid robotics sector, the requirements for compact size and high safety are extremely demanding, and conventional batteries struggle to balance “small form factor” with “long endurance.”
WeLion New Energy has identified humanoid robots as a key application scenario. Its semi-solid-state batteries not only ensure “zero ignition” safety but also increase energy density by 50%, extending robot operational endurance from a few hours to over 10 hours, meeting commercial application needs.
EVE Energy has launched three main categories of batteries for robotic applications: High-specific-energy batteries (21700-58E and 26105-G26E) to address range anxiety, achieving energy densities exceeding 300 Wh/kg.
High-power, full-tab 21700-50PL batteries designed to manage heat generation during heavy-duty operation, reducing internal resistance by 74%, lowering heat generation by 74%, and doubling output power.
46137 LMX series cylindrical batteries engineered for extreme operational scenarios, offering high reliability under demanding conditions.
Azure has been deeply focused on cylindrical cells for nearly 20 years, supplying cells to companies such as Yushu, DEEP Robotics, and Fourier, while also engaging with domestic and overseas robotics clients for product sampling and validation.
Hylicreate has delivered the first batch of solid-state power battery packs for construction robots to Golden Crown Intelligent Technology . These solid-state batteries achieve an energy density of 350 Wh/kg—twice that of conventional lithium batteries—and can reduce the weight of the battery pack by up to approximately 40%. They have passed 12 extreme tests, including nail penetration, extrusion, and overcharge, achieving “no fire, no explosion” performance.
Sunwoda has expanded into bionic robots, service robots, and other product lines, offering both solid-state batteries and high-energy ternary batteries featuring an innovative full-tab design.
Conclusion
With continuous breakthroughs in material systems and manufacturing processes, solid-state batteries are accelerating their transition from laboratory research to industrialization. Their energy density has significantly increased, with some laboratory prototypes surpassing 800 Wh/kg, and they demonstrate clear advantages over conventional liquid lithium batteries in terms of safety, cycle life, and adaptability to extreme environments. Semi-solid-state batteries have achieved large-scale application first, serving as an important transitional path toward the commercialization of all-solid-state batteries.
In scenarios with extremely high requirements for safety and energy density—such as high-end electric vehicles, energy storage systems, humanoid robots, and low-altitude aircraft—the application value of solid-state batteries is increasingly evident.
The commercialization roadmap for solid-state batteries is now taking shape, with clear timelines from industry leaders: small-scale production by 2027, mass-market adoption around 2030. Near-term applications will target premium EVs, eVTOL aircraft, and robotics, where performance justifies higher initial costs. Widespread adoption hinges on overcoming cost and scalability challenges—industry leaders caution that true economic viability for passenger vehicles remains at least five years away
