BYD is banking on solid-state batteries for its future electric vehicles, and it’s happening faster than expected

Despite this explicitly stated optimism, Lian Yubo recognizes that obstacles remain, and not the least important ones. The high production costs and the complexity of integrating these batteries into vehicles still remain two sensitive points. These issues partly explain why CATL (which also produces LFP batteries), the world leader in batteries for electric vehicles, only plans small-scale production of solid-state batteries by 2027.

BYD and CATL are not alone in banking on this technology. NIO, another Chinese player, already offers its luxury sedan, the ET7, equipped with a 150 kWh semi-solid battery, which combines both solid components and liquid or gelled components in its electrolyte. However, its fairly high price remains prohibitive. Mercedes-Benz, in collaboration with Factorial, this month unveiled a solid-state battery boasting an impressive energy density of 450 Wh/kg. According to Factorial, this battery design would give EVs a range of 600 miles while being 40% lighter.

In any case, BYD is playing big on this announcement. The Chinese giant is putting its credibility on the line by betting on a technology that is still in its infancy. If the Shenzhen engineers succeed in their bet, the whole situation of the electricity market could be reshuffled in the medium term. Given the firm’s expertise and its results, we can’t wait to see what it will be like in five years.