BYD plans to introduce a vehicle equipped with solid-state battery technology in 2026. Executive Vice President Stella Li confirmed the company's intention to demonstrate the technology in a real-world model next year, though this does not represent a mass-market launch.
The company's battery division, FinDreams, is developing inorganic sulfide solid-electrolyte cells using materials like lithium phosphorus sulfur chlorine. Prototypes with 20 Ah and 60 Ah capacities have shown energy densities approaching 400 Wh/kg, though these figures do not reflect final pack performance.
Technical hurdles include maintaining contact at solid-solid interfaces and managing moisture sensitivity. FinDreams is exploring dry electrode manufacturing processes to avoid solvent reactions with sulfide electrolytes, collaborating with domestic equipment suppliers at pilot facilities.
BYD is part of the government-backed CASIP initiative, which is linked to an estimated $830 million state research program. CTO Sun Huajun has previously noted plans for small-batch trials of roughly 1,000 vehicles around 2027, with large-scale production targeted for 2030.
The company expects early applications to target premium platforms such as Yangwang and Denza. Chief Scientist Lian Yubo stated that conventional liquid lithium-ion batteries and solid-state systems may coexist for 15 to 20 years during the transition period.
