BYD Announces Solid-State Battery Progress

2026-04-12 | Calvin

As the new energy vehicle industry enters a deeper phase, the next round of changes in power battery technology is quietly accelerating.

Recently, Li Yubo, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist at BYD Group, sent an important signal at the high-level seminar on the development trends and policies of China's automotive industry: The industrialization of all-solid-state batteries has entered the "critical phase."

From "Pilot Production" to "Stable Application": Three Major Challenges to Overcome

At the seminar, Li Yubo pointed out that although the technological path of all-solid-state batteries is becoming increasingly clear, there are still three major hurdles to overcome in order to move from the current stage to large-scale commercialization: engineering, cost control, and improving yield. Specifically, the transition from "pilot production" to "mass vehicle deployment" and then to "stable application" is fraught with uncertainty at every step.

He emphasized that the core bottleneck restricting breakthroughs in solid-state battery technology remains a series of fundamental scientific problems, such as the stability of the solid-solid interface and the inhibition of lithium dendrite growth. If these issues cannot be effectively resolved, they will directly impact the battery's safety, cycle life, and fast-charging performance, thereby delaying the industrialization process.

BYD's Multi-Track Approach, Sulfide Solid-State Batteries as the Main Focus

As a leading company in China's new energy sector, BYD's efforts in the solid-state battery field have attracted significant attention. According to previously disclosed information, the company is advancing multiple solid-state battery technology paths simultaneously, with sulfide solid-state batteries being a key focus.

BYD has stated that it has made breakthroughs in key metrics such as battery life and fast-charging performance and expects to achieve small-scale production by 2027. This timeline aligns closely with mainstream industry predictions, marking the shift of solid-state batteries from a "long-term vision" to a "near-term expectation."

Solid-State Batteries: The Next Core Technology to Reshape the Industry

Due to their high energy density, enhanced safety, and long cycle life, all-solid-state batteries are widely regarded as one of the ultimate technological directions for power batteries. Compared to the current mainstream liquid lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries use solid electrolytes, which can effectively prevent safety risks such as leakage and combustion. They are also compatible with high-energy-density electrode materials, with the potential to increase the energy density of a single cell to 400Wh/kg or even higher.

As leading global companies such as BYD, CATL, Toyota, and Samsung SDI ramp up their research and development efforts, the industrialization of solid-state batteries is clearly accelerating. Industry experts predict that the period from 2027 to 2030 will be a key verification phase for small-scale deployment, with large-scale commercialization expected after 2030.

Opportunities and Challenges: Industrialization Requires Multilateral Collaboration

Despite the promising outlook, the journey from "sample" to "product" for solid-state batteries still faces systematic challenges. In addition to the scientific and engineering issues mentioned by Li Yubo, breakthroughs are also needed in areas such as supply chain support, production processes, and the development of standard systems. Furthermore, finding a balance between high performance and low cost will be key to determining whether solid-state batteries can truly replace existing technologies. It is foreseeable that, as leading companies continue to tackle these challenges, the technological turning point for solid-state batteries is approaching. For the entire new energy vehicle industry chain, this is not only a technological race but also a strategic opportunity to reshape the competitive landscape. In the next five years, the companies that can achieve stable mass production of solid-state batteries first will be well-positioned to take the lead in the next round of industrial transformation.