China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has set out a comprehensive plan to accelerate technological breakthroughs in all-solid-state batteries and high-level autonomous driving while supporting expanded automotive consumption in 2026. The announcement follows a January 13 inter-ministerial work meeting in Beijing on energy conservation and development of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, chaired by MIIT Party Secretary and Minister Li Lecheng.
Framed as the opening year of the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan, the government emphasized problem-orientation, system thinking, and enhanced inter-agency coordination to bolster high-quality industry growth. MIIT called for closer alignment of industrial planning with energy and infrastructure sectors and set clearer development objectives to guide innovation across the NEV value chain.
In the area of all-solid-state batteries, domestic automakers and suppliers including Dongfeng, Chery, Sunwoda, and SAIC are advancing from laboratory research to prototype deployment and pilot production. Reported energy densities range from 350 to 600 Wh/kg, with projected driving ranges between 1,000 and 1,300 km. Planned GWh-scale manufacturing lines and strategic partnerships for cathode and electrolyte materials underscore efforts to commercialize next-generation batteries that deliver higher energy density, longer lifespans, and reinforce supply chain self-reliance.
On autonomous driving, Chinese OEMs such as BYD, Xpeng, Li Auto, Changan Deepal, and Arcfox have secured Level 3 test permits and are conducting pilot operations on designated roads. By collecting real-world data on vehicle AI, sensor integration, and cloud connectivity, these companies are refining conditional autonomy systems. MIIT has granted market access to the first batch of L3 vehicles, marking 2026 as a pivotal year for commercial deployment of conditionally autonomous cars in China.
To stimulate demand, MIIT plans to expand vehicle trade-in programs, promote new-energy heavy trucks, reform NEV insurance policies, and diversify consumer incentives. Officials highlighted the importance of maintaining fair competition, strengthening cost reviews, monitoring prices, and enforcing quality inspections. Standards development was also cited as a key driver of industry upgrades and corporate self-discipline.
Finally, the ministry pledged to support international trade, investment, and technology cooperation, while guiding enterprises through technology and investment risk management to enable secure global expansion and foster new patterns of cross-border industrial collaboration.
Source: CarNewsChina
