A new solid-state battery developed by Chinese automaker Dongfeng has cleared major performance and safety tests, moving into pilot production ahead of a planned 2026 mass-manufacturing rollout. The development marks an acceleration of the firm’s original timeline, with early commercial deployment now expected a year before the broader industry’s 2027 target.
Dongfeng said its first-generation solid-state battery offers an energy density of 350 Wh/kg, a level below the technology’s theoretical ceiling but considered stable and commercially viable. According to the company, “its first solid-state battery generation offers an energy density of 350 Wh/kg,” a figure it says is sufficient for real-world production rather than laboratory demonstrations. The automaker estimates that the battery could enable electric vehicles to reach 1,000 km under China’s CLTC testing cycle, translating to more than 400 miles in typical U.S. driving conditions.
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The company highlighted several advantages beyond density, including safety gains due to the absence of a flammable liquid electrolyte. Solid-state cells can also charge faster and maintain performance in temperature extremes. In cold-weather testing, Dongfeng reported 72% capacity retention at –30°C, roughly 20% higher than conventional lithium batteries. The battery also passed high-temperature evaluations, withstanding conditions up to 170°C, well above the 130°C requirement.
Dongfeng is also developing next-generation variants, including a fast-charging version designed for 2 MW charging systems and another model targeting the technology’s theoretical peak of 500 Wh/kg using sulfide-based chemistry. These higher-density units are expected after 2027, aligning with the timelines announced by other industry players such as CATL, Samsung and Toyota.
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Industry analysts say early mass production could provide broader validation for solid-state batteries as electric vehicle manufacturers seek safer, higher-capacity alternatives to current lithium-ion systems.
Source: CNEVPost