During the 2026 EV100 Research Institute Expert Media Exchange and Intelligent Electric Vehicle Development Forum on March 11, Chinese Academy of Sciences academician Ouyang Minggao advised against expecting commercially available solid-state battery vehicles in the next two years. While prototypes with solid-state cells may enter testing by late 2026 or early 2027, Ouyang emphasized that widespread sales should be postponed to ensure safety and reliability.
Ouyang noted that China has made rapid progress in this field: by 2025, domestic companies accounted for 44% of newly published global solid-state battery patents, overtaking Japan. He also highlighted a significant cost reduction for sulfide solid-state electrolytes, falling from 20 million yuan per ton in previous years to below 1 million yuan per ton, alongside a substantial expansion of production capacity.
Despite these advances, Ouyang stressed that solid-state technology remains complex and high-risk. “Solid-state batteries represent a revolutionary technology with high barriers to entry and greater technical challenges,” he explained, pointing to the need for integrated solutions across materials, interfaces, electrodes and cell assembly. He reassured consumers that today’s lithium-ion electric vehicles already offer strong performance, making it unnecessary to delay purchases while waiting for the next generation of cells.
According to Ouyang, the path to industrialization of solid-state batteries will unfold in three stages:
- 2025–2027: Development of sulfide solid-state cells using graphite and low-silicon anodes, targeting energy densities of 200–300 Wh/kg and establishing a complete manufacturing chain.
- 2027–2030: Introduction of high-silicon anode designs to achieve 400 Wh/kg and 800 Wh/L, focusing on high capacity, low expansion and long cycle life.
- 2030–2035: Advancement to lithium metal anodes with goals of 500 Wh/kg and 1,000 Wh/L, supported by high-voltage, high-capacity cathode research.
Ouyang concluded that reaching higher energy densities will require rigorous quality control and extensive testing. He predicted that commercially viable solid-state batteries with around 300–350 Wh/kg could emerge in three to five years once current development milestones are met.
Source: CarNewsChina
