Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD expects to begin producing solid-state batteries in limited quantities by 2027, following a series of technical breakthroughs in battery life and fast charging capabilities.
According to Chinese media outlet Cailian Press, BYD’s Investor Relations Department confirmed the timeline on 9 February 2026, marking a significant step in the company’s development of sulfide-based solid electrolytes that promise superior conductivity, safety, and higher energy density compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
The announcement aligns with previous statements from Sun Huajun, chief technology officer of BYD’s battery business Shenzhen BYD Lithium Battery Co, who outlined the company’s solid-state battery roadmap at the 2nd annual China All-Solid-State Battery and Development Summit.
Sun said sulfide electrolytes are longer-lasting and more stable than traditional liquid lithium-ion batteries, while enabling faster charging capabilities.
BYD’s solid-state battery development follows more than a decade of research, with the company beginning its solid-state battery program in 2013. In 2023, BYD reached a significant milestone by demonstrating that mass production was feasible with various cell systems and materials.
The company began testing solid-state battery cells with capacities of 20 ampere-hours and 60 ampere-hours in 2024, though BYD previously dismissed reports that it was already testing the technology in its Seal electric vehicle sedan on public roads.
Premium deployment before mass market rollout
BYD plans to initially deploy sulfide-based solid-state batteries in its higher-end electric vehicles before expanding to mass-market models. The first two years of production will serve as a demonstration phase with limited output, with mass production expected to begin toward the end of the decade.
The timeline positions BYD alongside several other manufacturers advancing solid-state battery technology. China’s FAW Group and Dongfeng Motors began testing solid-state batteries in prototype vehicles in January 2026, with Dongfeng’s prototype equipped with a 350 watt-hours per kilogram solid-state battery that the company claims can deliver more than 1000 kilometres of CLTC driving range.
Mercedes-Benz achieved a 1200-kilometre range in a modified EQS equipped with Factorial’s solid-state battery cells in September 2025, while Factorial launched the first commercial solid-state battery program in the United States through a partnership with Karma Automotive.
Toyota, Volkswagen, Stellantis, Honda, and Nissan are also developing solid-state electric vehicle batteries, with most companies targeting similar timelines of limited production in the mid-2020s followed by mass production around 2030.
For Australian consumers, BYD’s solid-state battery development could deliver significant improvements in electric vehicle performance and convenience. BYD has established a growing presence in the Australian market through local distributor EVDirect, offering models including the Atto 3, Dolphin, and Seal across multiple price segments.
The solid-state technology promises faster charging times, longer driving ranges, and improved safety compared to current lithium-ion batteries, potentially addressing key consumer concerns about electric vehicle adoption in Australia’s vast geographical landscape.
Join the conversation