Solid-state batteries for cars: progress 2026–2028 and hurdles.
Samsung SDI partners with BMW, SolidPower develops solid-state batteries; Chery, Dongfeng, Toyota, and Nissan set targets for 2026–2028. Stocks rise, but costs remain 5–10 times higher.
The momentum for commercializing solid-state batteries in the automotive industry is accelerating with a series of collaborations and specific timelines from 2026–2028, but this is accompanied by warnings about costs and technical challenges. Samsung SDI announced collaborations with BMW and SolidPower to validate the technology; Chery, Dongfeng, Toyota, and Nissan showcased their products and deployment milestones. In the capital market, related stocks surged, but experts emphasize that the technology is still largely in the experimental stage.
Samsung SDI – BMW – SolidPower collaboration: a crucial verification step.
Samsung SDI has signed an agreement with BMW and SolidPower to develop a solid-state battery verification project. Under the agreement, Samsung SDI will utilize solid-state electrolytes developed by SolidPower, providing solid-state battery units with high energy density and claimed superior safety; BMW will be responsible for developing the modules and battery packs. The three parties will evaluate performance against agreed-upon parameters and conduct tests on BMW's next-generation verification vehicles.
Signals from manufacturers: Deployment milestones 2026–2028
On October 18th, at the Chery Global Innovation Conference 2025, Chery showcased the Rhino S solid-state battery module, developed in collaboration with Gotion High-Tech. This module utilizes solid-state electrolyte with a stated energy density of 600 Wh/kg, close to the theoretical limit of lithium batteries; the expected range is projected to increase to 1,200–1,300 km. The Rhino S battery is scheduled to complete installation testing by 2027.
On October 20, Dongfeng announced the mass production of solid-state batteries and the establishment of a supply chain, with installation expected to begin in 2026. Three days later, at the 2025 New Energy Battery Industry Development Conference, Chun Yun Da launched the "Xin·Bich Thien" polymer solid-state battery with an energy density of 400Wh/kg; the 20Ah battery was stated to achieve 1,200 cycles under ultra-low pressure of less than 1MPa and pass safety tests such as at 200°C.
At the Tokyo Motor Show, Keiji Kaita, director of Toyota's Carbon-Neutral Technology Development Center, said the deployment plan remains on schedule, with the first production model using solid-state batteries expected to launch in 2027 or 2028. Nissan expects its solid-state battery prototype for the next generation of electric vehicles to have achieved performance equivalent to double that of current batteries and anticipates mass production in 2028.
Capital markets reacted strongly to expectations.
On November 3rd, solid-state battery-related stocks all surged: Tianhua New Energy rose more than 15%, Haimu Star gained over 10%; Zhuhua Group, Shanghai Electric, and Foshan Technology also recorded significant gains. Over the past six months, the solid-state battery industry index has risen from 1,200 points in April to 2,426 points on October 9th, nearly doubling; the market capitalization of Gotion High-Tech, Yiwei Lithium Energy, and Penguin New Energy increased by more than 120%, while Fudi Technology rose by 70%.
Technical and cost barriers: a cautious perspective
Despite strong growth, barriers to commercialization remain. At the September Teda forum, Honeycomb Energy CEO Yang Hongxin stated that solid-state batteries currently cost 5–10 times more than liquid-state batteries; mass production faces challenges in materials, technology, and supply chains.
Guo Guohong, vice president of the Institute for Research on New and Specialized Industries at Jiangsu University, stated that solid-state batteries are still in the experimental and small-scale testing phase. In years of observation, he has not found any solid-state batteries that maintain an energy density of ≥400 Wh/kg at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. He noted that some companies claim to have mass-produced or achieved "over 500 Wh/kg" but have not provided concrete evidence.
Quick information board
| Time/Event | Unit | Main developments |
|---|---|---|
| Collaborative verification | Samsung SDI – BMW – SolidPower | Using SolidPower's solid-state electrolyte; Samsung SDI supplies the battery unit; BMW develops the module/pack and tests it on next-generation verification vehicles. |
| October 18th | Chery – Gotion High-Tech | Demonstration of the Rhino S module, energy density 600Wh/kg; expected range 1,200–1,300 km; planned completion of testing and installation in 2027. |
| October 20th | Dong Phong | Announcement of mass production and supply chain establishment; installation expected to begin in 2026. |
| Three days later | Xuan Van Dat | Introducing the "Xin·Bich Thien" 400Wh/kg polymer solid-state battery; the 20Ah battery achieves 1,200 cycles under <1MPa; safety tested at 200°C. |
| Tokyo Motor Show | Toyota | The first production vehicles using solid-state batteries are expected in 2027 or 2028. |
| 2028 milestone | Nissan | Expected mass production; stated performance is double that of current batteries. |
Conclusion: A great opportunity, but it needs to be verified in practice.
Driven by automakers and in collaboration with battery companies, solid-state batteries are moving closer to commercial application, aligning with the industry's shift from the lab to the market. However, claims about energy density and cycle life need to be validated under real-world operating conditions; cost and large-scale production capacity remain bottlenecks. The 2026–2028 roadmap is therefore a crucial milestone, but final progress will depend on effective validation, supply chain capabilities, and proven safety at commercial scale.
