Chinese authorities are preparing to standardize the terminology used for semi-solid-state batteries in an effort to prevent confusion among consumers and investors, as the technology gains increasing public attention, local media reported.
A new regulatory document under development will rename “semi-solid-state batteries” as “solid-liquid batteries,” according to a report by Yicai, which cited an executive from a major power battery manufacturer. The move is aimed at clarifying the distinction between semi-solid-state and all-solid-state batteries, which differ significantly in design and maturity.
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Semi-solid-state batteries drew widespread attention in early 2021 when electric vehicle maker Nio unveiled a 150 kWh semi-solid-state battery pack during its Nio Day 2020 event. The cells were developed by Beijing WeLion New Energy Technology, which began deliveries to Nio in mid-2023. The 150-kWh pack entered service in June 2024, giving the Nio ET7 sedan a range of more than 1,000 kilometers on a single charge.
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Despite the milestone, the high cost of semi-solid-state technology has limited its adoption. Nio co-founder and president Qin Lihong said in early 2023 that the price of a 150-kWh pack was roughly equivalent to that of a Nio ET5 sedan, then priced at about RMB 328,000 ($46,000).
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Semi-solid-state batteries are seen as a transitional technology between current lithium-ion batteries and fully solid-state batteries, as they incorporate both solid and liquid electrolytes. All-solid-state batteries, which eliminate liquid electrolytes entirely, are viewed as safer and potentially more efficient but remain technically challenging to commercialize.
CATL, one of the world’s largest battery makers, has said it aims to achieve small-scale production of all-solid-state batteries by 2027. However, large-scale production faces barriers including cost and manufacturing complexity.
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CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, said during the China International Battery Fair in April that the company’s research and development of all-solid-state technology currently stands at level four on a nine-level maturity scale.
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