BEIJING — As the lithium battery industry grapples with "involution," breakthroughs in next-generation battery technologies are opening new growth horizons. During the 2026 Two Sessions, solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries, and high-power batteries for low-altitude economy scenarios have become focal points. From standard-setting to tax incentives, from technological breakthroughs to ecosystem building, policy signals are pointing toward the future.
Solid-State: Neither Too Slow Nor Too Hasty
Yang Quanhong, a CPPCC member and professor at Tianjin University, noted that solid-state batteries, combining safety and high energy density, are the "bridgehead" for the next iteration of the lithium industry and a cornerstone for future industries like commercial aerospace and embodied AI .
"We can neither be too slow nor too hasty in developing solid-state batteries," Yang said, calling for steady scientific progress to clarify the technology's scientific connotation and roadmaps, while driving innovation with a sense of urgency to solve fundamental scientific problems and break through bottlenecks .
Hybrid solid-liquid batteries have already been mass-produced, and all-solid-state industrialization is accelerating. Ouyang Minggao, an academician at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, recently stated that thanks to government support, China's progress in all-solid-state R&D is "faster than expected," narrowing the gap with leading countries, with the goal of commercialization by 2030 .
Standards First: Setting Rules for Solid-State
Hu Chengzhong, an NPC deputy and chairman of Delixi Group, suggests accelerating the formulation and implementation of national standards for automotive solid-state batteries, including performance, safety, and lifespan specifications, clarifying technical requirements and testing methods .
He also recommends optimizing fiscal fund allocation through government guidance funds, special subsidies, and tax incentives to channel social capital into the solid-state sector. Demonstration projects should be rolled out in key regions and enterprises across EVs, energy storage, and electric aviation to accelerate technology adoption .
Tax Dividends: Exempting Sodium and Solid-State
Zhang Tianren, an NPC deputy and chairman of Tianneng Holding Group, proposes including sodium-ion and solid-state batteries—encouraged by industrial policies and offering environmental and resource advantages—in the consumption tax exemption scope through supplementary catalogs or clarifications, reducing early-stage cost pressures and accelerating market adoption .
He noted that the battery consumption tax policy implemented in 2016 was originally intended to curb consumption of "high-pollution, high-energy, resource-dependent" products. However, with technological advancements, new eco-friendly batteries like sodium and solid-state have become development directions, necessitating policy optimization .
Low-Altitude Economy: A New Blue Ocean
The burgeoning low-altitude economy opens vast new prospects for the lithium industry. According to forecasts, China's low-altitude economy market could reach RMB 3.5 trillion by 2035 .
Li Liangbin, an NPC deputy and chairman of Ganfeng Lithium, submitted proposals on accelerating R&D and commercialization of aircraft power batteries. He noted that low-altitude flight scenarios impose far more stringent requirements than ground vehicles, with eVTOLs requiring sustained thrust during takeoff, landing, and hovering, necessitating energy densities of 400-500Wh/kg or higher .
Li revealed that Ganfeng's solid-state batteries completed phased review of aircraft manning in 2025, with 320Wh/kg eVTOL-specific solid-state batteries successfully completing manned test flights.
He suggests establishing a national major R&D project for "advanced power systems for low-altitude aircraft" to tackle core performance requirements under extreme aviation conditions, while accelerating industry standards for aircraft-specific batteries across different flight scenarios .
Talent Pipeline: Interdisciplinary Cultivation
On talent development, Li recommends supporting universities in establishing interdisciplinary programs combining aviation, new energy, and materials, and encouraging vocational colleges to offer relevant courses, building a comprehensive talent echelon from scientists to engineers and technicians .
Outlook
From solid-state's "neither too slow nor too hasty" to sodium's tax dividends and low-altitude scenarios, the 2026 Two Sessions paint a diversified technology roadmap for the lithium industry's future. As the fog of "involution" dissipates, companies with genuine technological moats will stand out in the next-gen battery race.