Chinese automotive and battery companies are making significant strides in the development of solid-state batteries, a next-generation technology promising greater energy density and safety than current lithium-ion cells. Leading the charge, battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) announced in late 2025 that it is on track to begin small-scale production of condensed matter batteries—a variant of semi-solid-state technology—by 2027. The company claims its new battery can achieve an energy density of up to 500 watt-hours per kilogram.
Automaker Nio has also entered the race, having showcased a 150-kilowatt-hour semi-solid-state battery pack in its ET7 sedan. The company began deliveries of vehicles equipped with this battery to a limited number of users in the first half of 2024. Other players, including GAC Aion and SAIC Motor, have announced prototype vehicles and research partnerships aimed at commercializing the technology within the next few years.
The global competition is intense, with Japanese and Korean firms also investing heavily. However, China's established dominance in the lithium-ion battery supply chain provides a significant foundation for its push into solid-state technology. Industry analysts note that while promising announcements are frequent, the path to mass production at a competitive cost remains a major hurdle for all companies involved.
