Chinese automaker Chery has lifted the curtain on a groundbreaking solid-state battery prototype that could mark a turning point for electric vehicles, promising driving ranges far beyond what current technologies can deliver. After months of secrecy, the company presented its innovation at a recent event in China, describing it as a major leap forward in energy storage for the EV industry.
According to Chery, the new battery achieves an energy density of 600 Wh/kg, a figure well above that of today’s best lithium-ion cells. Thanks to this advancement, vehicles powered by the new unit could reach a real-world range of up to 1,300 kilometers (around 808 miles) on a single charge. To put that in perspective, such a battery would allow a driver to make a round trip between Lisbon and Madrid—a total distance of roughly 1,250 kilometers—without stopping to recharge.
Image: Chery
Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as the next big step in electric mobility because they replace the flammable liquid electrolyte found in conventional batteries with a solid material. This not only increases energy density but also improves safety and could enable faster charging. Chery reports that its prototype has already endured rigorous safety and performance tests, including being punctured without catching fire or producing smoke—an outcome that highlights its resilience and thermal stability.
Encouraged by the initial results, Chery plans to move quickly from development to production. The company expects to begin pilot operations in 2026, followed by limited-scale manufacturing in 2027 if performance and safety targets continue to be met. Mass production would then follow, depending on the outcomes of these early phases.
Chery’s roadmap closely mirrors that of competitors CATL and BYD, both of which are also targeting 2027 for the introduction of their own solid-state batteries. This growing momentum among Chinese manufacturers reflects an intensifying race to dominate what could be the defining technology of the next decade in the EV sector.
If Chery’s prototype delivers on its promises, it could dramatically extend the range and reliability of electric cars while making them safer and more efficient. In doing so, it might help ease one of the main barriers to EV adoption—range anxiety—and push the industry closer to a new era of long-distance, zero-emission driving.
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