BYD’s battery business CTO, Sun Huajun, shared insights on the future of all-solid-state batteries at a recent forum. He mentioned that while the company expects to start “demonstration use” of these batteries around 2027, the true large-scale adoption may not happen until after 2030. Sun also highlighted that different players in the industry are making similar progress in this field.
As the world’s largest new energy vehicle (NEV) maker and the second-largest power battery manufacturer, BYD plays a significant role in shaping the future of battery technology. In 2024, the company’s power battery installed capacity was 153.7 GWh, capturing a 17.2 percent global market share.
Comparatively, CATL, the leading power battery manufacturer, aims to produce all-solid-state batteries in small volumes by 2027, with high-volume production still facing cost-related challenges. CATL’s chief scientist, Wu Kai, emphasized the potential of all-solid-state batteries to reach an energy density of 500 Wh/kg, surpassing the limitations of liquid lithium batteries.
BYD’s approach to solid-state batteries involves sulfide electrolytes, chosen for their cost-effectiveness and process stability. While other companies explore oxide and polymer routes for these batteries, BYD’s focus on sulfide electrolytes reflects its commitment to technological advancements.
The journey towards all-solid-state batteries began for BYD in 2013, with a focus on technology routes and material exploration. By 2023, the company had started validating the feasibility of industrializing these batteries, leading to the production of trial products with varying capacities.
Sun believes that cost will not hinder the widespread adoption of solid-state batteries in the long run. While ternary materials like nickel and cobalt impact costs in the sulfide route, Sun anticipates that scale of use will eventually drive the cost of solid-state ternary batteries to levels comparable to liquid ternary batteries.
Overall, the future of all-solid-state batteries holds promise for the automotive and energy industries. With companies like BYD and CATL pioneering advancements in this field, the transition to solid-state batteries is expected to revolutionize the way we power our vehicles and devices in the coming years.
