CATL and BYD Race to Develop Solid-State Batteries by 2027

China’s two largest electric vehicle (EV) battery manufacturers, CATL and BYD, are racing to develop solid-state battery technology, targeting small-scale production trials starting in 2027.

According to a report from Arena EV on Tuesday, CATL previously claimed its solid-state technology development is at the forefront of the industry.

That statement was subsequently answered by BYD, which secured six new patents related to cathode technology using two types of electrolytes for solid-state batteries.

Solid-state batteries have higher energy density and better safety levels compared to batteries with liquid electrolytes. As a result, electric vehicle manufacturers can design batteries with higher energy density in a more compact size.

The use of solid materials also potentially reduces the risk of thermal runaway, a condition in which a battery experiences an uncontrolled temperature rise that can trigger a fire.

CATL Chairman Robin Zeng previously said the company’s solid-state battery technology is still at level four on the nine-level Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale.

This means the technology is still in the laboratory testing stage. CATL Chief Scientist Wu Kai is targeting solid-state batteries to reach level seven or eight by 2027, meaning they can be tested under real-world operating conditions.

That target is not expected to be achieved before 2030. Therefore, solid-state batteries in the early stages are likely to be used in luxury electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, BYD is focusing on addressing interface issues between solid materials within the battery, which has been one of the challenges in developing this technology.

Solid-state batteries are unlikely to be widely used in electric vehicles by 2027. However, that period could be an important stage for testing solid-state batteries in vehicles before entering larger-scale commercial production.