China’s FAW Group has announced that its Hongqi brand has produced its first vehicle prototype equipped with all-solid-state battery technology. The prototype, a Hongqi Tiangong06, recently rolled off the production line, marking the transition from laboratory validation to real-vehicle testing for this next-generation battery system.
Development of the solid-state battery system was led by FAW’s R&D Institute over a 470-day research effort. Key advances include improvements in sulfide-based electrolyte chemistry, high-voltage cell packaging, and overall system integration. These breakthroughs have established a technological foundation intended to support small-batch production by late 2027.
The prototype’s battery employs a sulfide electrolyte with ionic conductivity exceeding 10 mS/cm, a benchmark level that enhances ion transport within the cell. The 66 Ah pouch-type cells deliver an energy density of 380 Wh/kg, significantly surpassing the 180–250 Wh/kg range typical of conventional liquid electrolyte lithium-ion batteries. In safety testing, the cells endured thermal abuse at 200 °C without exhibiting thermal runaway, addressing critical safety concerns in battery development.
According to FAW’s development roadmap, 2026 will be dedicated to rigorous validation of the battery system’s reliability and durability across a variety of driving conditions, ambient temperatures, and charging scenarios. Small-batch production is planned to begin in late 2027, with the technology first appearing in Hongqi’s flagship sedan and SUV models.
Looking farther ahead, FAW aims to complete the technological groundwork for mass production by 2030. The company intends to extend solid-state battery integration across mid- and high-end vehicle lines while cutting production costs by more than half. This multi-phase approach reflects FAW’s strategy to bring safer, higher-performance batteries to market and accelerate the adoption of next-generation energy storage solutions.
Source: CarNewsChina
