Technological Breakthroughs & Capital Surge: The White-Hot Arms Race in Solid-State Batteries

The industry generally agrees that solid-state batteries have entered a critical sprint toward mass production. Driven by continuous innovations in core materials, optimized manufacturing processes and improved cost control capabilities, solid-state batteries are poised to unleash enormous potential across power batteries, energy storage systems, low-altitude economy and numerous other scenarios.

Stellantis Group recently announced the launch of real-road testing for its Dodge Charger Daytona electric vehicle prototype equipped with semi-solid-state batteries. The FEST semi-solid-state batteries adopted in the tests are developed by Factorial Energy, whose proprietary electrolyte solution delivers an energy density of 375 Wh/kg.

The industrialization of solid-state batteries has accelerated remarkably this year. Automakers at home and abroad have successively released timelines for vehicle installation verification and mass production, shifting technological competition from conceptual demonstrations to practical engineering implementation. Meanwhile, battery and material enterprises have ramped up capacity expansion and supporting projects to seize the high ground of the new energy track. Industry insiders note that solid-state batteries are racing toward mass production. Supported by coordinated breakthroughs in material systems, manufacturing techniques and cost management, solid-state batteries will embrace broad prospects across multiple application sectors in the years ahead.

Sustained Upbeat Momentum Across the Industrial Chain

Ned Curic, Chief Engineering & Technology Officer of Stellantis, pointed out that battery development requires a balance between driving range, charging speed, cost control, reliability and other indicators. Progress in this road test marks steady strides for solid-state battery technology toward commercial mass production, which will eventually deliver electric vehicles with longer range, faster charging and lower costs for consumers.

Widely regarded as one of the preferred technical routes for next-generation power batteries, solid-state batteries have attracted in-depth layout by multiple vehicle manufacturers and battery makers through independent R&D and joint research, yielding phased achievements.
In March, Chery Automobile unveiled its full lineup of Rhino batteries and updated progress on all-solid-state battery R&D. It also co-released the 2026 White Paper on Global Power Battery Safety with multiple institutions. At present, Chery's solid-state battery cells reach an energy density of 400 Wh/kg, targeting 600 Wh/kg with a corresponding driving range exceeding 1,500 kilometers.
In February, GAC Group stated on investor platforms that it was fully advancing independent R&D and industrialization of all-solid-state batteries. Its pilot production line for all-solid-state batteries has gone online, with small-batch vehicle trials scheduled for 2026.
In January, Geely Holding Group announced that its self-developed all-solid-state batteries are expected to roll off production lines and undergo vehicle verification in 2026.

Capacity construction is advancing in tandem. In May, the government of Anting Town, Jiading District, Shanghai signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guoxiang Century New Energy Group to introduce a solid-state battery industrial complex with a planned total investment of approximately 10 billion yuan.
In January, Jinlongyu disclosed that its holding subsidiary Jinlongyu New Energy (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. planned to build a 2 GWh solid-state battery mass production line in Dapeng New District, Shenzhen, with a total investment of around 1.2 billion yuan.

Data from research institutions shows that capacity expansion plans for the solid-state battery industry exceeded 100 GWh in the first four months of this year, with proposed investment surpassing 30 billion yuan and total planned industrial capacity approaching 600 GWh.

Diversified Expansion of Application Scenarios

The 2026 White Paper on China's Solid Electrolyte Industry, jointly released by EVTank, Ivey Economic Research Institute and China Battery Industry Research Institute, states that amid expanding large-scale deployment of semi-solid-state batteries and advancing industrialization of all-solid-state batteries, shipments of solid electrolytes have maintained steady growth. Global solid electrolyte shipments hit 4,100 tons in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 138.5%.
Semi-solid-state batteries will be successively installed in passenger vehicles in 2026, and all-solid-state batteries will gradually enter small-scale mass production from 2027 onward. Shipments of solid electrolytes are projected to grow in lockstep with solid-state battery installation volume, reaching 229,000 tons globally by 2030.

Industry analysts deem 2026 a pivotal year for vehicle-mounted verification of solid-state batteries, with intensive rollout of pilot production lines on the horizon. Research reports from China Merchants Securities forecast that all-solid-state batteries will be fitted onto vehicles starting in 2026, with large-scale mass production kicking off around 2030.

Notably, solid-state batteries boast promising applications far beyond electric vehicles, boasting strong technical compatibility with emerging sectors including eVTOLs, humanoid robots and marine energy storage. For humanoid robots, the ultra-high energy density of solid-state batteries delivers extended power supply for frequent, high-intensity movements, alongside distinct advantages in safety and spatial adaptability.

In an interview with China Energy News, researchers said humanoid robots mainly adopt two lithium battery routes: solid-state batteries and high-nickel ternary batteries. While high-nickel ternary cells offer high energy density to reduce battery weight and volume, their safety performance lags behind medium/low-nickel alternatives. Solid-state batteries stand out thanks to outstanding safety profiles.

Industrial consulting agencies point out that humanoid robots currently rely primarily on liquid lithium-ion batteries. However, driven by rising demand for long endurance and heavy-duty operation, high-energy-density solid-state lithium batteries are expected to become the mainstream solution. Demand for solid-state batteries from humanoid robots is projected to surpass 74 GWh by 2035, over 1,000 times the 2026 volume.

Sustained Capital Inflow into Strategic Layout

Vast application prospects have driven enterprises across the industrial chain to ramp up investment in solid-state batteries. Nevertheless, industry insiders warn that although solid-state batteries feature enhanced safety, risks are not entirely eliminated, calling for unremitting efforts on safety research, thermal management and early warning prevention and control. In addition, immature manufacturing processes lead to high reject rates in current production, delaying full-scale mass commercialization. Interviewees note that while cutting-edge battery technologies address the shortcomings of existing lithium batteries, they introduce new manufacturing complexities and cost pressures, requiring a gradual transition from small-batch trial production to mass rollout and cost reduction.

Furthermore, the solid-state battery sector demands heavy capital investment and features steep technical barriers. Sustained R&D spending is critical for enterprises to retain core competitiveness, and new market entrants must prudently evaluate their financial strength and risk tolerance in advance. Analysts advise relevant firms to actively engage venture capital, industrial funds and government guidance funds to secure funding for R&D and industrialization. Eligible enterprises are encouraged to pursue IPO financing to diversify capital channels.

Multiple industrial chain players in the solid-state battery sector have completed new rounds of financing this year. Floods of capital provide robust backing for industrialization and reflect robust market optimism toward this technical route.
In March, Shenzhen Heyixinneng Technology Co., Ltd. secured hundreds of millions of yuan in Series A+ financing, led by Hechuang Capital with follow-on investment from Shenzhen Capital Group, a municipal state-owned capital platform. Proceeds will be primarily allocated to solid-state battery production line construction, core team expansion and global operational layout.
In January, Hefei Yinshi New Material Technology Co., Ltd. closed a multi-million-yuan angel round of financing. Funds will support capacity expansion and technical R&D to accelerate the industrialization of sulfide solid electrolytes.