CATL and BYD Advance Solid-State Battery Trial Production in Tandem, 2027 as Critical Milestone

China's solid-state battery industrialization process is accelerating. CATL recently confirmed it will launch small-batch trial production of solid-state battery cells in 2027 — a timeline closely aligned with BYD's previously announced solid-state battery trial production plan.

Widely regarded by the industry as the 'ultimate technology' for electric vehicles, solid-state batteries offer core advantages including higher energy density, reduced weight, and significantly lower risks of thermal runaway and fire. In recent years, automakers and battery manufacturers have continuously ramped up R&D investment to overcome bottlenecks in material systems and manufacturing processes.

According to libattery.net, during a recent investor Q&A session, CATL explicitly stated that its solid-state battery R&D progress is at an "industry-leading" level and that small-batch pilot manufacturing will begin on a dedicated test line in 2027. Notably, this statement was issued on July 29; just two days later, on July 31, BYD secured authorization for six new solid-state battery patents — covering material chemistry systems, production process specifications, and quality control methods. The near-simultaneous timing underscores intense competition between the two players.

BYD is pursuing a dual-electrolyte cathode approach, replacing conventional liquid electrolytes with a composite of solid halide and sulfide electrolytes; CATL, meanwhile, emphasizes that its technology maturity remains in steady, incremental advancement. Chairman Zeng Yuqun has repeatedly noted that large-scale commercial application of solid-state batteries "still requires several years," with current technology readiness level (TRL) standing at only Level 4 (laboratory validation), well short of the TRL 7–8 required for vehicle integration. Chief Scientist Wu Kai revealed the goal is to reach TRL 7 or 8 by 2027 to support trial production and real-vehicle validation.

Internal CATL analysis indicates that true large-scale deployment of solid-state batteries — defined as supply capacity sufficient for one million new-energy vehicles annually — won't be feasible before 2030 at the earliest. Zeng Yuqun also acknowledged that engineering constraints mean initial commercial products will prioritize high-end new-energy platforms, with corresponding vehicle prices likely starting at no less than RMB 250,000.

Per China EV DataTracker, as of June 2026, CATL ranked first in China and globally as the top power battery supplier, with 32.59 GWh installed capacity and a 43.2% domestic market share. Meanwhile, emerging players including Dongfeng, Changan, and Pure Lithium Technology have also entered the solid-state battery race — potentially reshaping the industry landscape amid this next wave of technological leapfrogging.