CATL has made another milestone advancement in solid-state battery research and development, having progressed to the 20Ah cell stage. This globally leading battery manufacturer aims to start small-scale production in 2027.

CATL continues to advance all-solid-state batteries for electric vehicles

In order to maintain its leading position, CATL is advancing a variety of new battery chemistry systems, including all-solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries. The company believes that these technologies are expected to be safer, more efficient, and have lower costs than traditional lithium-ion batteries.

On Tuesday, when investors inquired about the progress of its solid-state battery project, CATL stated that the company is still making significant investments in solid-state batteries and expects to begin small-scale production in 2027.

As the company previously stated, initial production volumes are expected to be limited. However, as capacity expands, mass production is anticipated to begin around 2030.

Zeng Yuqun, the chairman of CATL and also CEO, stated at the Summer Davos Forum in June this year that if measured on a scale from 1 to 9, all-solid-state batteries are currently only at level 4.

The difference between all-solid-state batteries and semi-solid-state batteries is that the former rely on solid electrolytes to conduct lithium ions, rather than liquid electrolytes.

CATL adopts a sulfide solid electrolyte system. This system has high ionic conductivity and deformability, but maintaining stable contact between the solid components remains a challenge.

CATL stated that its sulfide batteries have currently entered the trial production stage of 20Ah, with the goal of achieving an energy density of 500Wh/ kg.

Trial production in 2027, entry into the mass market in 2030

CATL plans to start small-scale production in 2027, which is roughly in line with the timelines of other automakers and battery manufacturers that are also competing to launch all-solid-state electric vehicle batteries.

Toyota has been promising to introduce solid-state batteries for nearly a decade, with the goal of launching the first electric vehicle equipped with a fully solid-state battery in 2027 or 2028.

In October last year, Toyota stated that with the help of Sumitomo Metal Mining's proprietary powder synthesis technology, the company had developed a "high-durability cathode material" for all-solid-state batteries. Last year, Toyota also showcased a prototype, claiming that it could achieve a range of 745 miles (1,200 kilometers) and could be charged in just 10 minutes.

However, similar to CATL, Toyota also expects that initial production volumes will be limited, and it is not until closer to the end of this decade that it will truly enter the mass market.

On the other hand, Samsung SDI plans to start mass-producing its SolidStack all-solid-state batteries in the second half of 2027.

BYD, which ranks second in global electric vehicle battery sales after CATL, also plans to launch its first model equipped with solid-state batteries in 2027.

In an exclusive interview with Carwow.es last month, Li Ke, the executive vice president of BYD, stated that BYD is in a “leading position” in the field of solid-state batteries and will “prove this” next year.

BYD's battery business unit, Fudi Battery, plans to start limited production of sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries in 2027 and increase production to large-scale manufacturing around 2030.

Electrek Perspective

Electrek believes that although solid-state batteries are often referred to as the 'Holy Grail' of battery technology, they are merely a part of the entire equation.

Enterprises such as CATL and BYD are also continuously advancing the development of lithium iron phosphate ( LFP ) and sodium-ion batteries. These technologies will ultimately offer higher efficiency and lower costs, meeting various performance requirements.

The CLTC cruising range of BYD's second-generation blade lithium iron phosphate batteries has exceeded 1,000 kilometers (621 miles). What will come next?

One thing is for sure: new battery chemistries and continuously evolving technologies will only continue to improve the efficiency of electric vehicles, resulting in longer ranges, faster charging times, and better performance.

FTC: This article uses car alliance links that can generate income.