SAIC Pushes Forward with Solid-State Batteries Program

SAIC Motor has signalled a major step forward in its solid-state battery programme as its partner, Qingtao Power, brings an entire production line in Anting online. 

The plan is to produce initial sample cells before the year wraps up, followed by prototype-vehicle trials in the coming year. SAIC is working toward putting the technology into full commercial use by 2027 if everything progresses as expected.

The automaker has outlined some ambitious performance goals for this chemistry. The new cells are designed to push past 400 Wh/kg in energy density by weight, exceed 820 Wh/L by volume and deliver more than 75 Ah per cell. 

SAIC also highlights early safety data from its labs, claiming the cells have tolerated nail-puncture tests and 200°C heat exposure without entering thermal runaway, while still keeping over 90 percent of their capacity in low-temperature conditions. These are still controlled test results, not field data.

SAIC’s involvement with solid-state tech stretches back several years. The company and Qingtao Energy set up joint investments and a shared lab to move the research out of early experimentation and toward practical use in vehicles. 

Even so, analysts caution that a commissioned sample line doesn’t automatically translate to mass-market readiness. The real test will be whether SAIC can manufacture these cells consistently, keep costs under control and gather real-world durability data once fleet testing begins. No commercial terms or pricing have been announced.

China’s wider industry is on a parallel push. GAC has already assembled a production line for high-capacity solid-state cells and has set a 2027–2030 window for larger-scale output. 

Chery is developing a 600 Wh/kg prototype module, with plans to put pilot cars on the road in 2026. Sunwoda, backed by Li Auto, is working on a 400 Wh/kg cell aimed at long-range applications. CATL, meanwhile, is signalling a slower path, saying the jump to true mass production will likely take until around 2030.

SAIC’s own brand MG has already started to tap into next-gen battery tech. Its MG4 Anxin Edition, will be powered by a manganese-based lithium-ion semi-solid-state battery developed with Suzhou QingTao Power Technology.