You are currently viewing China and Korea Race to Lead Solid-State Battery Revolution

China and Korea Race to Lead Solid-State Battery Revolution

Prime Highlights

  • BYD flags engineering and cost hurdles before solid-state batteries reach mass production.
  • China and Korea race to commercialise solid-state batteries by 2027.

Key Facts

  • Solid-state batteries offer greater safety and energy density than lithium-ion batteries.
  • Both nations lead global solid-state battery patent growth.

Background

China’s solid-state battery development is entering a critical phase ahead of commercialisation, with companies across China and Korea competing to gain an edge in next-generation battery technology.

Lian Yubo, chief scientist at Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD, made the remarks at an auto industry seminar attended by industry insiders, analysts, and government officials. He observed that a significant amount of work is needed in advancing engineering, cost, and productivity yields before solid-state batteries can be deployed on a large scale.

Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as the next step beyond conventional lithium-ion batteries, offering greater safety and energy density. However, technical hurdles such as stabilising solid-solid interfaces and controlling lithium dendrite growth continue to slow commercialisation.

Korean firms have long led global battery production, while Chinese players have rapidly emerged as strong competitors through mass manufacturing and fast commercialisation. Over the past two decades, both countries have recorded the fastest growth in solid-state battery patents, with China growing at 20 percent annually and Korea at 18 percent.

Korean companies are advancing on multiple fronts. LG Energy Solution unveiled its sulfide-based solid-state battery at InterBattery 2026 in March, describing the race to secure future technology as central to industry leadership. Samsung SDI also showed off a mock-up all-solid-state battery pouch in March, aiming at powering artificial intelligence systems physically.

On the Chinese side, Changan Automobile plans to begin trial applications in robots and vehicles before the third quarter of this year, targeting mass production by 2027. Chery Automobile has introduced two solid-state battery models, which they claim can provide a range of 1500 kilometers. The company plans to use these batteries in multiple vehicles by the year 2027. BYD and SAIC Motor have created comparable growth plans, which they intend to execute during the upcoming year.