Xpeng Iron will reportedly use high-energy solid-liquid hybrid batteries in its production version, marking a shift away from the company’s earlier plan to adopt all-solid-state batteries. The change is intended to reduce supply risk as Xpeng prepares to begin mass production of the humanoid robot by the end of 2026. Xpeng has not publicly confirmed the revised battery strategy.
According to a report by Jipian Lab on Thursday, Xpeng has selected a second-tier Chinese battery manufacturer as its primary supplier while continuing to test samples from other companies. The approach could allow the company to diversify suppliers later, but the current focus is on securing a battery solution that can meet the robot’s installation requirements on schedule.
The move differs from the plan Xpeng outlined at its AI Day in November 2025, when it said the new Iron would use all-solid-state batteries to lower weight while improving energy density and safety. Xpeng chairman and CEO He Xiaopeng also said at the time that humanoid robots could become one of the first product categories to support the mass production and commercialization of all-solid-state batteries. However, the industrialization of all-solid-state batteries has progressed more slowly than Iron’s production timetable.
Jipian Lab reported that Xpeng previously sought all-solid-state battery products from BYD, Gotion High-tech, CALB, and Eve Energy, but did not find a solution that met its requirements. The report said all-solid-state batteries remain largely at the laboratory validation stage and still face challenges related to cost, performance stability, and manufacturing consistency.
The semi-solid batteries selected for Iron are described as high-energy solid-liquid hybrid cells using pouch-cell formats rather than the cylindrical cells more commonly used in robots. The report said these cells can offer higher energy density and improved safety, though the technology is still at an early stage of industrialization.
Xpeng still plans to begin mass production of Iron by the end of 2026, initially deploying the robots in stores and industrial parks. The robot is expected to go on sale in 2027 for retail and service-sector customers in China and overseas. Source: CnEVPost
