SMM September 1 News:
Key Points: On August 30, 2025, the first management committee meeting of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Dongfeng Motor Joint Research Institute was successfully held, with the official signing of the first six scientific research projects. This marks the entry of their cooperation in cutting-edge fields such as solid-state batteries and lightweight technology into a substantive phase. The solid-state battery development plan is expected to use semi-solid-state as a transition and target full solid-state, including multiple generations of products such as 350Wh/kg and 500Wh/kg, demonstrating Dongfeng Motor's technological ambition in the solid-state battery field.
I. Signing of Scientific Research Projects
On August 30, 2025, the first meeting of the Management Committee of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Dongfeng Motor Joint Research Institute was successfully held, with the official signing of the first batch of six scientific research projects. This marks the tangible establishment of the joint research institute at the Junshan Campus of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, ushering in a new phase of university-enterprise collaboration between the two parties.
The projects include solid-state battery (with semi-solid-state as a transitional phase and full solid-state as the ultimate goal, targeting energy densities of 350Wh/kg, 500Wh/kg, and other multi-generation products), humanoid robot, intelligent vehicle control, and lightweight solutions (focusing on integrated die-casting, hot gas forming, and new material applications).
Views from All Parties
Dongfeng Motor's You Zheng: It is hoped that both parties will focus on automotive embodied AI technology as a key breakthrough direction, leverage their respective strengths and resources, and achieve tangible results in talent development and technological innovation.
Huazhong University of Science and Technology's Gao Liang: The goal is to establish the joint research institute as a new model for university-enterprise collaboration nationwide, demonstrating greater responsibility in supporting the national strategies of central China's rise and the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.
Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone's Tang Chao: It is expected that Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Dongfeng Motor, and Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone will strengthen cooperation and make breakthroughs in areas such as chip design, software, batteries, sensors, and materials.
Project Focus: Solid-State Battery and Lightweight Technologies
Among the signed projects, solid-state batteries and lightweight technologies are the two key priorities:
Solid-State Battery: The development roadmap is clearly defined, with semi-solid-state batteries as a transitional phase and all-solid-state batteries as the ultimate goal. The technical pathway outlines phased achievements of critical energy density targets, such as 350 Wh/kg and 500 Wh/kg. This breakthrough is expected to significantly enhance the driving range of EVs.
II. Dongfeng Motor's Solid-State Battery Strategy
Dongfeng Motor began its solid-state battery initiatives in 2018. Through establishing project teams, conducting technical research, and collaborating with upstream and downstream enterprises, it has achieved a series of milestones in R&D, mass production, and commercial application of solid-state batteries.
1. R&D Timeline
- 2018: Dongfeng established a solid-state battery project team to conduct research on solid-state battery and battery system technologies.
- July 2019: Completed the development of the first-generation solid-state battery system.
- June 2020: Successfully developed the first vehicle equipped with the first-generation solid-state battery system.
- December 2021: Dongfeng obtained approval for China's first solid-state battery passenger vehicle.
- January 2022: The first batch of 50 Dongfeng Fengshen E70 vehicles equipped with solid-state batteries were delivered for demonstration operations in Xinyu City, Jiangxi Province.
- 2024: Dongfeng showcased its next-generation solid-state battery exhibit, featuring a high-specific-energy solid-state battery cell with a system energy density of 285 Wh/kg. The system adopted a CTP configuration, immersive cooling technology, and a wireless BMS.
- June 2024: VOYAH, Dongfeng's high-end EV brand, launched the VOYAH Zhuiguang model, the world's first mass-produced vehicle equipped with a semi-solid-state battery. The battery pack, supplied by Ganfeng Lithium, has a capacity of 108 kWh, an energy density of 360 Wh/kg, a CLTC driving range exceeding 1,000 km, and supports ultra-fast charging. This marked Dongfeng's transition of solid-state battery technology from the lab to the market, demonstrating commercial delivery capabilities.
- August 1, 2025: Dongfeng's subsidiary, Dongfeng Eπ Technology, announced that its self-developed solid-state battery would be installed in vehicles by 2026, achieving an energy density of 350 Wh/kg and a driving range exceeding 1,000 km. Even in extreme conditions of -30°C, the range retention rate would exceed 70%. Additionally, Dongfeng plans to establish the world's first ultra-kilovolt high-voltage architecture, targeting a 1,200V platform and 12C peak fast-charging technology, enabling a 2.5 km range increase with just one second of charging.
- August 30, 2025: The first meeting of the Huazhong University of Science and Technology-Dongfeng Motor Joint Research Institute Management Committee was held, with the signing of six initial scientific research projects, including those in solid-state batteries. The solid-state battery development plan outlines a phased approach from semi-solid-state to all-solid-state batteries, covering multiple generations of products with energy densities of 350 Wh/kg and 500 Wh/kg.
2. Technological Achievements and Mass Production Plans
Dongfeng Motor has successively mastered core technologies such as electrolytes, separators, and in-situ solidification, developing solid-state battery products with energy densities of 240Wh/kg and 350Wh/kg, which combine high energy density with exceptional safety features. In 2024, Dongfeng Motor showcased a new-generation solid-state battery exhibit. This solid-state battery system incorporates high-specific-energy solid-state battery cells, achieving a system energy density of 285Wh/kg. It adopts a CTP configuration and features immersive cooling technology and a wireless BMS system.
On September 23, 2024, You Zheng, Deputy General Manager of Dongfeng Motor Group, revealed that Dongfeng is expected to mass-produce solid-state battery products with an energy density of 350Wh/kg and will accelerate the independent R&D of next-generation all-solid-state batteries, targeting an energy density breakthrough of 550Wh/kg.
3. Project Collaboration and Ecosystem Development
On August 30, 2025, the first meeting of the Joint Research Institute Management Committee between Huazhong University of Science and Technology and Dongfeng Motor was held, with the signing of the first batch of six scientific research projects, covering areas such as solid-state batteries. Among these, the solid-state battery development plan adopts semi-solid-state as a transitional phase and all-solid-state as the ultimate goal, encompassing multiple generations of products with energy densities of 350Wh/kg and 500Wh/kg.
Dongfeng Motor collaborated with Ganfeng Lithium to develop high-specific-energy solid-state batteries, successfully deploying them in the Dongfeng E70.
Through policy guidance and industry-academia-research collaboration, Dongfeng Motor and its upstream and downstream partners are accelerating breakthroughs in engineering technologies to drive the rapid development of solid-state batteries, including strategic layouts in raw materials, battery materials, equipment, and battery production.
Dongfeng Motor partnered with Huawei to develop the next-generation electronic and electrical architecture, establishing the Dongfeng Motor R&D Headquarters and the Huawei Qiankun Intelligent Vehicle Control Joint Innovation Center.
SMM believes: Dongfeng Motor’s strategic layout in the solid-state battery sector is characterized by early initiation, steady roadmap, extensive collaboration, and rapid implementation. In the short term, its semi-solid-state batteries have already established a leading position in the long-range, high-end EV market and are beginning to expand to more car models. In the long term, through in-depth collaboration with research institutions like Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Dongfeng has accumulated strong technological potential for the ultimate competition in all-solid-state batteries.
**Note:** For further details or inquiries regarding solid-state battery development, please contact:
Phone: 021-20707860 (or WeChat: 13585549799)
Contact: Chaoxing Yang. Thank you!
