BYD says its solid-state EV battery tech is nearly ready for the road

Chinese car maker BYD expects to release its first vehicle with a solid-state battery in 2027, according to executive vice president Stella Li. In an interview with Carwow's Spanish outlet, she said the company is ahead of rivals in both the technology and its commercialization.

What BYD says about its timeline

"Talking about solid-state batteries, BYD is in the leading position," Li said. "We're in the leading position for commercialization and technology. So to prove that, next year, we have one model that will be the first one with that technology."

Her comments confirm plans shared by Sun Huajun, chief technology officer of BYD's battery subsidiary FinDreams, at a battery conference in February 2025. He said BYD would carry out its first demonstration and installation of solid-state batteries in 2027, before the technology enters mass production around 2030, CarNewsChina reported.

High-end models come first

Solid-state cells will not replace BYD's existing lithium batteries. Chief scientist Lian Yubo said at the same conference that the new chemistry would be used mainly in high-end models, working alongside lithium iron phosphate batteries in vehicles of different levels.

Cost is the main obstacle, which is why BYD expects its solid-state batteries to appear first in more expensive cars, possibly a future version of its Denza Z hypercar.

Why solid-state batteries matter

A lithium-ion battery moves ions between positive and negative terminals through a liquid solution of dissolved lithium salts. Solid-state batteries replace that liquid with solid electrolytes made from oxides, polymers or sulfides; BYD is developing sulfide cells.

Solid electrolytes allow higher energy density, opening the possibility of smaller and lighter batteries and a longer range on a single charge. They are also theoretically safer, because they are far less prone to catching fire and can operate at extreme temperatures, an issue current lithium-ion batteries struggle with.

A crowded race

BYD is one of several car makers planning to ship a vehicle with solid-state batteries in the next few years. Toyota has committed to offering cars with the technology by 2027 or 2028. Mercedes-Benz tested a solid-state EQS that covered 749 miles on a single charge and plans to ship it before the end of the decade. Stellantis began road testing a solid-state Dodge Charger in 2026, while Honda partnered with QuantumScape in a push toward carbon neutrality by 2050. Most car makers, however, are still in the first leg of the race.