SAIC Set To Mass-Produce Solid-State Batteries For EV From 2026 Onwards

EXE181 concept EV hypercar from the MG brand owned by SAIC Motor - China's largest state-owned automaker.

SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd. (SAIC Motor), China’s largest state-owned automaker, recently announced plans to mass-produce solid-state batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) starting in 2026. Ahead of which, SAIC Motor adds that it will deliver this tech to its core brands starting next year (2025).

SAIC Motor revealed its plans for said tech at a recent tech conference held in China. Lighter, safer and more energy-dense, solid-state batteries are widely touted as the next big step forward at enhancing the viability of EVs.

SAIC Motor explained that the plan begins with the adoption of “semi-solid-state” batteries first, which still sees the use of some liquid electrolyte. This will be brimmed in both hybrid and EV models marketed across the group’s brands – i.e. MG, Baojun, Wuling, and more.

Additionally, true or “all-solid-state” replacements will succeed it in 2026, and said hardware’s rollout by then would put SAIC ahead of other global automakers by being the fist to mass-produce and market vehicles using this tech.

Solid-state batteries tech displayed by SAIC Motor recently during a tech conference. (Image: Shine.cn)

SAIC Motor plans to deliver solid-state batteries to its core brands early as next year (2025) before mass production for which kicks off in 2026.

In contrast, rivalling Japanese automaking giant Toyota, one of the tech’s key accelerators, plans to only commence mass-production of solid-state batteries in 2030 at the earliest, and that’s despite the fact that it already has a prototype EV powered using said tech on test for some time now.

Nissan, another rivalling Japanese automaker, instead plans to surge past Toyota’s mark sooner in 2028, but this is a relatively tall order for a company that’s just only started re-establishing its EV-focused push – read: The Arc business plan.

For China to achieve solid-state battery tech, this would give a boost to its expanding car industry that many Western nations are threatened by. However, whether SAIC's, Nissan's, or Toyota's timelines are realistic remains to be seen still.

Solid-state batteries have been the repeated subject of claimed breakthroughs that have yet to manifest in commercial viability. Even if the tech reaches that stage, EVs set to be powered by it will still face resistance from consumers for a various reasons.

Source: Autohome.com.cn via TheDrive.com