China FAW Solid-State Battery Breakthrough Hits 500 Wh/kg, Targets 1,600 km Range

China FAW solid-state battery development has entered real-vehicle validation, as the automaker confirmed installation of its latest semi-solid-state battery in a prototype car. The breakthrough, achieved by China FAW Group’s battery arm China Automotive New Energy Battery (CANEB), marks the first on-road application of a lithium-rich manganese-based solid-liquid hybrid battery. The move positions the company among leading innovators in next-generation EV battery technology, with significant improvements in energy density, safety, and range performance.

China FAW Solid-State Battery Achieves 500 Wh/kg Milestone

The newly developed battery cell, co-engineered by CANEB and Professor Chen Jun’s research team at Nankai University, delivers an energy density exceeding 500 Wh/kg. This figure represents a major leap in EV battery energy density and places the technology among the most advanced semi-solid-state battery platforms currently under development globally.
The installed battery pack provides 142 kWh of capacity, enabling a driving range of more than 1,000 km in prototype configuration. According to China FAW, the cathode specific capacity exceeds 300 mAh/g, more than double that of high-performance lithium iron phosphate batteries. This lithium-rich manganese battery chemistry enhances both output and efficiency while supporting longer driving distances.

Safety, Cost Reduction and Manufacturing Advancements

Eliminating Metallic Lithium Strips

One of the most critical advancements in this solid-liquid hybrid battery lies in mitigating the cost and safety risks associated with metallic lithium strips. By redesigning the battery architecture, CANEB has improved cycle life and operational safety while simultaneously lowering production complexity. The approach simplifies manufacturing processes and reduces material dependency, strengthening commercial viability.
The company emphasized that the battery remains under iterative development. Upcoming upgrades aim to push system-level energy density beyond 340 Wh/kg, increase battery pack capacity above 200 kWh, and extend range performance past 1,600 km. Demonstration fleet operations are scheduled to begin in 2026, signaling a transition from laboratory validation to practical deployment.

China’s Solid-State Battery Race Intensifies

Solid-state batteries are widely regarded as the next frontier in EV battery innovation due to their higher energy density and improved safety profile compared to conventional lithium-ion systems. In recent years, several manufacturers introduced semi-solid-state battery products, though the terminology has since been standardized as solid-liquid hybrid batteries to avoid market confusion.
Major Chinese battery leaders such as CATL and BYD are targeting limited vehicle integration of fully solid-state batteries by 2027. Automakers appear to be accelerating timelines. Dongfeng Motor previously stated it expects mass production of solid-state batteries capable of delivering a 1,000-kilometer range by September 2026.
Earlier this year, FAW confirmed that its Hongqi brand had launched a prototype vehicle equipped with solid-state batteries, marking the start of real-world testing for all-solid-state systems. While Hongqi did not disclose specific energy density or range figures, the announcement underscored FAW’s broader strategic push into advanced EV battery platforms.
As China FAW solid-state battery validation progresses toward demonstration operations in 2026, the company strengthens its position in the global race to commercialize high-energy-density, long-range EV battery solutions that promise safer operation and significantly extended driving capability.