2027 Outlook: Solid-State Battery Signals from Beijing Auto Show [SMM Analysis]

Key Points: The Beijing Auto Show, which opened on April 24, 2026, served as a platform for showcasing solid-state batteries in real vehicles. BYD's sulphide all-solid-state battery debuted in a real vehicle first, featuring 480Wh/kg, with small-batch vehicle installation planned for 2027. Chery's Rhino S achieved an energy density of 600Wh/kg, leading the show. CATL's condensed-matter battery completed aviation verification and is downward compatible with passenger vehicles. Semi-solid-state batteries are on the eve of mass production, with MG already bringing prices down to the 100,000-yuan level. Industry consensus: mass production will begin in 2027, and price parity between liquid and solid-state batteries is expected by 2030.

Introduction
On April 24, 2026, the Beijing International Auto Show opened as scheduled. If one key word were to define this exhibition, the answer would be beyond doubt — solid-state battery.

This was not the first time solid-state batteries appeared at an auto show. Over the past few years, almost every major auto show featured enterprises exhibiting "next-generation" solid-state samples, but at that time most of them sat in display cases, labeled with "laboratory data" and "energy density breakthroughs," with mass production timelines always pointing to "three years from now." Insiders and outsiders alike knew well: from samples to real vehicles, there lay an extremely wide engineering chasm.

1 All-Solid-State Batteries: From "Laboratory Race" to "Real Vehicle Debut"
If solid-state batteries at previous auto shows were still at the battery cell sample or concept stage, the clearest signal from the 2026 Shanghai Auto Show was that all-solid-state batteries had already been driven onto the exhibition stage.
1 BYD: Sulphide Route Takes the Lead, with Clear First-Mover Advantage
BYD exhibited the world's first automotive-grade sulphide all-solid-state battery, achieving a substantive leap from "able to run" to "passing full certification by CATARC." The core parameters were highly aggressive:
Energy density of 480Wh/kg, CLTC driving range of 1,218km;
5C fast charging, 10 minutes to 80%, 400km range replenished in 5 minutes;
Nail penetration test resulted in only a 32°C temperature rise, cycle life exceeding 10,000 times.
More critically, the mass production pace: the 20Gwh production line in Bishan, Chongqing will be ready for production in Q3 2026, with small-batch vehicle installation in 2027, and a target of "liquid-solid price parity" by 2030. This means BYD has not only solved "whether it can be made," but is also positioning ahead for "how to make it sell."
2 Chery: Energy Density of 600Wh/kg, Top-Tier Parameters but Slightly Slower Mass Production
Chery's "Rhino S" all-solid-state battery posted the show's highest energy density of 600Wh/kg, with a driving range of 1,500km+, 500km range replenished in 5 minutes, capacity degradation ≤10% at -30°C, and no fire or explosion under nail penetration, electric drill, or high-temperature tests. The technical route adopted an oxide/sulphide composite approach, aiming to balance safety and ionic conductivity.
Mass production timetable was slightly later than BYD's: mass production and vehicle installation in 2027. Chery's advantage lay in its self-built pilot production line, but whether it could address cost and process stability while leading in energy density remained uncertain.
3. CATL: Condensed-State Battery Compatible Downward, All-Solid-State Still in Preview
CATL adopted a relatively "restrained" strategy at this auto show. Its mass-produced condensed-state (semi-solid-state) battery achieved an energy density of 350Wh/kg and a driving range of 1,500km. More importantly, it completed maiden flight verification on a 4-mt-class commercial aircraft — aviation-grade safety standards represented a dimensional advantage over passenger vehicles.
On the all-solid-state front, a lab-level single cell at 500Wh/kg passed CATARC automotive-grade certification, but no mass production timeline was disclosed. CATL's approach was clear: rather than rushing for the "first-mover" title, it used condensed-state batteries to establish solid-state technology awareness in the high-end market first, and would roll out all-solid-state batteries at scale once the process matured.
II. Semi-Solid-State: Entering the "First Year of Scaling," Prices Beginning to Drop
All-solid-state is the future; semi-solid-state is the present. Another clear signal from this auto show: semi-solid-state batteries are no longer technology showcases but are becoming off-the-shelf products.
SAIC MG4 semi-solid-state Anxin Edition launched at a starting selling price of 65,800 yuan (with limited-time subsidies), offering a CLTC driving range of 530km and 3C fast charging. This was the first time globally that a semi-solid-state battery was brought down to the 100,000-yuan market segment, a milestone no less significant than BYD's popularization of LFP with its blade battery.
Sunwoda's polymer semi-solid-state battery completed energy storage verification, with a Gwh-level production line under construction and small-batch vehicle applications expected from the end of 2026 to 2027.
CALB's semi-solid-state battery achieved an energy density of 320Wh/kg and plans to achieve scaled mass production and vehicle installation in September 2026.
REPT Battero released its "Wending®" solid-liquid hybrid dual-pathway platform, with the high-nickel system reaching 280-400Wh/kg and the manganese-based system maintaining over 80% capacity retention at -40°C.
CATL's condensed-state, Sunwoda's polymer, and REPT Battero's solid-liquid hybrid — different technology routes coexist, but all point to one conclusion: the cost and process bottlenecks of semi-solid-state batteries are being rapidly overcome, and 2026-2027 will become the window period for large-scale semi-solid-state battery adoption in vehicles.
III. Technology Route Divergence: Sulphide Leading, Oxide/Polymer Each Seeking Their Niches
From this auto show, it was evident that the technology route competition for solid-state batteries had moved from a "blooming" phase into a "convergent divergence" stage:

Route Representative Enterprise Advantage Challenge
Sulphide BYD, Chery, Geely Highest ionic conductivity, great energy density potential Air-sensitive, high cost, interface stability to be resolved
Oxide/sulphide composite Chery (Rhino S) Balances safety and performance Complex process, difficult to control interface impedance
Polymer semi-solid-state Sunwoda, MG Process compatible with existing production lines, lower cost Relatively low upper limit of energy density
Condensed-state (semi-solid-state) CATL Aviation-grade safety verification, balanced performance Still contains some liquid, not "all-solid-state"
BYD's sulphide route attracted the most attention because it completed vehicle-grade real-car verification — a critical leap from "material feasibility" to "engineering feasibility." The technological breakthrough of reducing interface impedance by 90% means that the most challenging solid-solid contact problem of sulphide is being systematically resolved.
IV. Low-Temperature Performance: The "Hidden Ace" of Solid-State Batteries
Capacity degradation of liquid lithium batteries at low temperatures is an inherent weakness, while solid-state/semi-solid-state batteries collectively showcased their low-temperature advantages at this auto show:
Desay Battery launched a specialized solid-state battery capable of stable discharge and fast charging in extreme cold environments of -40°C, targeting commercial vehicles in frigid regions.
REPT Battero's manganese-based system achieved over 80% capacity retention at -40°C.
Chery Rhino S demonstrated capacity degradation of ≤10% at -30°C.
This means solid-state batteries not only outperform liquid batteries in energy density and safety but also deliver a "dimensional advantage" in low-temperature scenarios. For users in northern markets who suffer from severe winter driving range anxiety, the low-temperature performance of solid-state batteries will be a significant driver for vehicle replacement.
V. Mass Production Timeline: 2027 as the Period, 2030 as the Turning Point
Based on information released by enterprises at this auto show, a clear mass production timeline can be outlined:
H2 2026–2027: Large-scale deployment of semi-solid-state batteries in vehicles (CATL condensed-state, CALB, Sunwoda, MG); BYD and Chery small-batch vehicle installation and verification.
2027–2028: Small-batch mass production of all-solid-state batteries (BYD small-batch in 2027, Chery mass production in 2027, Changan mass production in 2027).
2030: BYD proposed "liquid-solid price parity," a critical economic turning point for all-solid-state batteries to transition from "usable" to "popularized."
Notably, ultra-fast charging technologies (5C–15C) and 800V–1,000V high-voltage platforms are being deployed in parallel with solid-state/semi-solid-state batteries. Supporting technologies such as BYD's MW flash charging (peak 1,000 kW) and REPT Battero's flash charging (10%–80% <6 minutes) indicate that after addressing "driving range anxiety," the industry is concentrating efforts on overcoming "recharging anxiety."
VI. Competitive Landscape: Who Holds the Best Hand?
BYD: The most prominent first-mover advantage — real-car demonstration + production line readiness + sulphide engineering breakthrough, combined with control over vehicle definition, enabling the fastest closed-loop verification from battery to car model.
Chery: The most aggressive specifications — a self-built pilot production line targeting 600 Wh/kg. If delivered, this will create a differentiated advantage in the high-end long-range market.
CATL: The deepest foundation — its condensed-matter battery has already undergone aviation-grade validation, its all-solid-state laboratory data leads the industry, and it has mastered alternative routes such as sodium-ion batteries. It is in no rush to be the first to launch, but its staying power may be the strongest.
SAIC/MG: The smartest approach — leveraging semi-solid-state batteries for cost-effectiveness, rapidly cascading new technology down the lineup to capture user mindshare and market share.
Summary: The Countdown for Liquid Batteries Has Already Begun
At the 2026 Shanghai Auto Show, solid-state batteries were no longer a promise of "within the next three years" but a reality of "available for purchase next year." BYD's sulphide all-solid-state battery in a real vehicle, Chery's 600 Wh/kg samples, and MG's semi-solid-state car models priced at the 100,000-yuan level — these three landmark events jointly declared that the power battery industry is crossing the tipping point from liquid to solid.
Of course, all-solid-state batteries still face challenges such as cost, large-scale manufacturing processes, and long-term cycling stability. If "liquid-solid price parity" is truly achieved by 2030, liquid batteries will definitively enter the countdown to obsolescence. Before that, semi-solid-state batteries will shoulder the dual mission of technological transition and market education.
One-sentence summary of this auto show: We finally saw solid-state battery vehicles.

This article is compiled based on publicly available information, company announcements, and industry analysis, and is intended to provide informational reference only. It does not constitute any investment advice. Solid-state battery technology is still evolving rapidly; readers are advised to refer to the latest official releases for the most up-to-date information.

Note: For any additions to the details mentioned in this article or to follow the development of solid-state batteries, please feel free to reach out at any time. Contact information is as follows:

Tel: 021-20707860 (or add WeChat: 13585549799) Yang Chaoxing. Thank you!

Related Reading: Summary of SMM Solid-State Battery Conferences and Expert Views

I. CLNB 2026 Solid-State Battery Conference (Suzhou, April 2026)

The CLNB 2026 Solid-State Battery Conference was held at the Suzhou International Expo Centre from April 8 to 10, 2026, with the "High-End Solid-State Battery Forward-Looking Technology Forum" convened on April 9. The expert consensus was that the period from 2026 to 2030 would be the critical phase for industrialisation.

Three highlights of the conference:

• Technological route breakthroughs: Prof. Tang Weiping's team at Shanghai Jiao Tong University released a new-type LZSP electrolyte (rare-earth-free, cost-controllable); Wanbang Shenghui completed the world's first continuous production line with an annual capacity of 200 mt of lithium sulphide; Hongkang New Energy achieved mass production of lithium sulphide with 99.99% purity.
• Three major bottlenecks and timetable: The industry clearly identified three bottlenecks — materials, processes, and standards — and laid out a clear roadmap: small-batch mass production by 2027 and large-scale mass production by 2030.
• Application prospects: SMM's consulting director predicted that by 2035, the global penetration rate of all-solid-state batteries is expected to approach 10%, with consumer electronics (3C) set to achieve breakthroughs first and high-end EVs holding the greatest potential.

II. Selected Expert Voices

Academician Ouyang Minggao proposed a clear industrialisation timetable on various occasions:

• 2025–2027: First-generation technology matures, with specific energy of 200–300 Wh/kg, achieving a "from 0 to 1" breakthrough
• 2027 (key period): Test vehicles equipped with first-generation batteries will appear, entering the small-batch vehicle installation and validation phase
• 2027–2030: Second-generation technology development, targeting 400 Wh/kg, focusing on high-silicon anode technology

Academician Ouyang emphasised that Chinese enterprises' all-solid-state batteries will be installed in vehicles by 2027, and even if foreign enterprises achieve vehicle installation a year earlier, it will not create a disruptive impact.

On March 27, 2026, Lian Yubo, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chief Scientist of BYD Group, delivered a significant assessment at the High-Level Seminar on China's Automotive Industry Development Situation and Policies — the industrialisation of all-solid-state batteries has entered the "critical phase." However, he also noted the need for a clear-eyed recognition that from "pilot line commissioning" to "large-scale vehicle installation" and then to "stable application," there remain numerous challenges spanning engineering, cost, and yield rates.

During the 2026 Two Sessions, multiple delegates and committee members spoke on solid-state batteries:

• Yao Jinjian, senior engineer at Gotion High-tech: Recommended concentrated efforts on "bottleneck" areas such as solid-state battery electrolytes
• Zhang Tianren, Tianneng Holdings: Recommended establishing a nationally coordinated time-of-use electricity prices and capacity compensation mechanism
• Liu Hanyuan, Tongwei Group: Recommended safeguarding enterprises' autonomous control over supporting energy storage

General consensus: Solid-state batteries are the core direction for next-generation battery technology, requiring the establishment of national-level innovation centres, dedicated research funding, and a comprehensive standards framework.

SMM's solid-state battery weekly analysis noted that the current industry exhibited three major characteristics:

• Capacity construction blossoming across multiple fronts: Dali Times focused on special batteries for extreme environments; Talent New Energy's 3.5 Gwh base was sprinting towards production launch in August
• Automakers going all out: Chery released its 600 Wh/kg target plus a 2027 vehicle installation validation timetable; Great Wall Motor's Wei Jianjun issued a cautious voice of "at least five more years needed"
• Emerging scenarios becoming "testing grounds": Scenarios such as robots and drones became breakthrough points for solid-state battery commercialisation

On February 6, 2026, CATC New Energy released an ultra-high specific energy solid-liquid battery system product, jointly developed with Academician Chen Jun's team at Nankai University. The battery cell specific energy exceeded 500 Wh/kg, with a vehicle driving range exceeding 1,000 km, and the company plans to launch demonstration operations in 2026. The product adopted a "solid-liquid hybrid" approach as its entry point, pragmatically selecting an industrialisation breakthrough path.