Chery Automobile has unveiled its first in-house all-solid-state battery module at the 2025 Chery Global Innovation Conference in Wuhu, representing a major step forward in China’s electric vehicle (EV) battery technology. The prototype achieves an energy density of 600 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg), one of the highest values announced by a Chinese automaker so far, according to CLS.
Developed by the Chery Solid-State Battery Research Institute, the module features an in-situ polymerized solid electrolyte system combined with a lithium-rich manganese cathode material. The company said the cell maintained performance even after extreme safety tests, such as nail penetration and power-drill damage, without combustion or smoke. Vehicles using this technology could theoretically achieve ranges of up to 1,500 kilometers, with real-world performance expected to reach around 1,300 kilometers.
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Chery plans to begin pilot production in 2026 and expand to full-scale manufacturing in 2027. If the timeline is met, the automaker would be among the first in China to introduce solid-state batteries at scale, ahead of competitors such as BYD and CATL, which are targeting limited production during the same period.
The launch coincides with strong business performance for Chery. The company exported 137,624 vehicles in September, up 26.2% year-on-year, marking the fifth straight month with exports above 100,000 units. In the first half of 2025, Chery reported revenue of 141.6 billion yuan ($19.5 billion), an increase of 26.3% from the previous year. Following its major Hong Kong IPO earlier this year, Chery allocated a significant portion of the funds to research and development and next-generation technologies, signaling its focus on long-term innovation.
See also: Chery to Launch World’s First GWh-Level All-Solid-State Battery Production Line in Wuhu
The debut comes amid intensifying global competition in solid-state battery technology. Toyota recently partnered with Sumitomo Metal Mining to boost production of cathode materials for its own solid-state batteries. Industry research firm EVTank projects that global shipments of solid-state batteries could reach 614 gigawatt-hours (GWh) by 2030, accounting for more than 10% of total output and generating a market size exceeding 250 billion yuan ($34 billion).
Chinese research institutions are also advancing rapidly in this area. A team at Tsinghua University recently demonstrated a 604 Wh/kg soft-pack solid-state cell capable of withstanding puncture and high-temperature tests, reinforcing the technology’s feasibility for large-scale use. However, production costs remain a major challenge, with current solid-state batteries estimated to be nearly three times more expensive than conventional lithium-ion versions due to costly materials and low yield rates.
Source: CarNewsChina