Solid-State Battery Cars: Coming Soon to EV Production

As manufacturers are gaining confidence with solid-state batteries, Chinese carmaker, Dongfeng, says these products are closer to production that expected.

Solid-state batteries are at the forefront of innovation, with many manufacturers focusing on how to build them to-scale.

These batteries could create longer-running electric vehicles, making the cars safer to run and more efficient on the road.

Battery innovation

Solid-state batteries rely on a solid electrolyte as opposed to liquid electrolytes, which rely on lithium-ion technology. It is a rechargeable battery, which can store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. As a result, it can offer greater safety and longer lifespans, as well as being more stable at higher temperatures. 

As a result, car manufacturers are turning to this product to run electric vehicles (EVs). These vehicles require batteries which can cope with the weight of the car and is safety-assured. However, these manufacturers have been working on scalable batteries for a decade, attempting to become the first to produce an efficient solid-state battery car.

In theory, solid-state batteries will provide a larger driving range, higher safety and faster charging speeds for EVs. Semi-solid state EVs are already available for purchase in some parts of the world, but full SSBs have been more difficult to build to-scale. Automakers around the world are working hard to bring these batteries to the public and create a safer, longer-lasting EV.

Carmaker Stellantis has partnered with Factorial Energy, a manufacturer of renewable energy semiconducters. Stellantis will be using Factorial's solid-state batteries in its fleet of Dodge Charger Daytona EVs, which are set to be on the road in 2026 as a demonstration fleet.

However, Dongfeng, a Chinese carmaker, has said it will be bringing solid-state EVs to road sooner than expected.

A leading manufacturer

Dongfeng Motor Corporation Limited is a major driver of China's automotive industry. Its products are sold in more than 100 countries around the world and it is placed within the world's Top 500. It is a leader in industrial R&D, manufacturing and marketing. 

Its production includes passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, NEVs, machines and equipment, auto assembles, parts and components, as well as other automobile-related products and services. Alongside full series of vehicles, the company has a selection  of new-energy vehicles, including HEV, all-electric and natural gas vehicles. 

Now, the company is putting its efforts into the deployment of a solid-state battery EV. It has an R&D staff count of more than 7,000 members, with its own significant automobile test base and self-assembly capability in China.

Dongfeng's leading product

The new fleet is due to come out in September 2026, using a battery with a 350wh/kg energy density. The battery will be capable of reaching a range of 621 miles on full charge once fitted into Dongfeng's fleet of EVs. Its 0.2GWh pilot production line is already established and operational, suggesting the deployment will be smooth-sailing.

The battery is made up of a multi-component layout with a high-capacity ternary cathode, a silicon-carbon anode and an oxide polymer composite solid electrolyte. Dongfeng claims the battery has a high temperature range, meaning it is safe and usable in any climate. According to the carmaker, the solid-state battery has been tested at temperatures as low as -22°F (-30°C), retaining more than 72% of its capacity - as opposed to 60% for liquid-state ternary batteries - and at a high of 266°F (130°C).

At present, Dongfeng has not reported how long the battery takes to reach full charge, but it is already working on a fast-charging version of the solid-state battery, which is planned to be deployed across vehicles in December 2027. Furthermore, it is exploring the concept of a sulfide-based solid-state battery with an energy density of 500 Wh/kg.

As the company makes strides in innovation with its dedicated team, it may be the first to release its fleet of solid-state battery cars.