September 28, 2026:


BYD says a long-awaited upgrade to electric vehicle batteries is finally getting close to real-world use.
The world’s largest EV maker is preparing to take solid-state technology out of the lab and put it into vehicles people can actually drive.
BYD’s executive vice president Stella Li said the company sits in the leading position in the solid-state battery race, with plans to introduce its first EV powered by the new technology in 2027. The company has been researching solid-state batteries since 2013, and by 2023 it had shown that mass production was feasible.
Testing of prototype cells rated at 20 and 60 ampere-hours followed throughout 2024, laying the groundwork for the move from lab proof to commercial manufacturing.
The batteries rely on sulfide-based electrolytes, which offer higher conductivity and better safety than the liquid setups found in most EVs today. BYD’s battery business, FinDreams, aims to begin producing them in limited batches in 2027 before ramping up toward mass production by 2030 (via CarNewsChina).
The first vehicles to get the technology will likely come from BYD’s premium brands, including Denza, Yangwang, and Fangchengbao, before it trickles down to higher volume models. According to Engadget, the first two years are expected to serve as a demonstration phase with limited production.
Early estimates suggest cars using these batteries could reach roughly 800 kilometers, or nearly 500 miles, on a single charge, with some observers speculating the range could eventually pass 1,000 kilometers.
Reports point to energy density targets of up to 400 watt-hours per kilogram, compared with roughly 160 to 180 for BYD’s current lithium iron phosphate batteries and around 300 for the best nickel manganese cobalt cells. Charging times as short as 12 minutes have also been mentioned in early projections.
BYD is not alone in chasing the technology. Chery has said its prototypes reach 400 watt-hours per kilogram and aims to push that to 500, while Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes Benz are also developing their own solid-state solutions.
Even so, BYD executives describe the company as out in front, and its CTO has said scaled production could eventually bring solid-state costs down to parity with conventional liquid electrolyte batteries.
BYD expects the technology to reach more affordable models between 2030 and 2032 as production costs come down. The company also does not see its Blade batteries, built on lithium iron phosphate, disappearing anytime soon, with its chief scientist projecting they will stay important for budget-friendly EVs for the next 15 to 20 years.
Most EVs today run on lithium-ion batteries, where charged particles called ions move through a liquid medium. Solid-state batteries swap that liquid for a solid layer, which improves safety because EV batteries are known for catching fire, and the flammable liquid inside conventional cells is often part of the problem.
A solid electrolyte offers better thermal stability, lowering the risk of fires and leaks.
Solid-state cells also pack more energy into the same space, which means longer range and more compact battery packs. Sulfide electrolytes in particular are described as longer-lasting and more stable than liquid options, giving the batteries a more durable life and faster charging.
The technology is difficult to build, since ions move through liquids more easily than solids and gaps between solid layers can raise electrical resistance.