China has launched its first high-capacity all-solid-state battery production line, marking a major milestone in the commercialization of this pivotal technology – one that boosts the driving range of electric vehicles and enhances their safety. The line, built by the state-owned automaker GAC Group, is carrying out small-batch trial production. Compared with traditional lithium-ion batteries, the primary advantage of all-solid-state batteries lies in their lack of liquid electrolytes, as they are entirely composed of solid materials.
This technology enables future new-energy vehicles (NEVs) to achieve a longer range and enhanced safety. The advantages of the liquid-free battery stem from two key innovations in the production line. In the anode manufacturing stage, while traditional liquid batteries require three separate steps – slurry preparation, coating and calendaring – the dry process directly integrates these steps into a single operation, reducing energy consumption while improving efficiency. Experts explained that aside from production process optimization, another core breakthrough lies in the electrolytes, abandoning traditional liquid ones in favor of independently developed solid electrolyte materials, significantly enhancing the product's heat resistance and safety.
With technological breakthroughs achieved in the production line, the next step is industrial implementation. GAC Group's launch of China's first high-capacity all-solid-state battery production line has established it as an industry pioneer with mass-production capability for automotive-grade all-solid-state batteries rated at 60Ah and above. Qi Hongzhong, head of new-energy power research and development at GAC's advanced platform technology institute, said that the energy density of the all-solid-state batteries currently under development is nearly double that of existing batteries. Vehicles' range of more than 500 kilometers could be extended to more than 1,000 kilometers after adopting this technology. The plan is to conduct small-scale vehicle installation tests in 2026, with mass production gradually rolling out between 2027 and 2030, according to Qi, as reported by the Global Times.
